Roulette is one game that has been crowned a casino classic, and when you learn the journey it took to get this title from its humble beginnings to the present day, you soon understand why.
With this in mind, we wanted to show you the journey Roulette has taken over the years to become so popular with players throughout the decades. We will also show you how it has evolved from a game played in person to a virtual game that can be played on any device connected to the internet, allowing you to play live Roulette at any time, any place.
But before we delve into its history, what exactly is Roulette?
Well, Roulette is a game of chance involving a spinning wheel and a small ball. Over the years, it has evolved, becoming one of the most recognised and popular casino games worldwide.
Its development is closely tied to changes in gaming culture, technological advancements, and the spread of gaming institutions.
Origins of Roulette
The origins of Roulette can be traced back to 17th-century France. The game is often attributed to Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and physicist, who is believed to have developed a primitive form of the Roulette wheel while exploring perpetual motion. The name “Roulette” derives from the French word ‘little wheel’.
Roulette, as it became known, emerged as a blend of existing English wheel games such as Roly-Poly, Reiner, Ace of Hearts, and the Italian game Biribi. By the late 18th century, it had evolved into a game closely resembling the modern version.
The game featured a wheel with numbered slots and a betting layout, where players could wager on various outcomes based on where they believed the ball would land.
Evolution in the 19th century
Roulette gained prominence in European casinos during the 19th century, particularly in France. The game spread across the continent, where it was played in various forms, including the single-zero (European) version and the double-zero (American) version, which developed later.
The game changed significantly when François and Louis Blanc, two Frenchmen, introduced the single-zero (0) wheel in 1843 in the Bad Homburg casino in Germany. This version reduced the house edge, making it more attractive to players at that time.
The Blanc brothers’ innovation became the standard in most European casinos, while the double-zero version remained prevalent in the United States, where it was introduced by French immigrants.
Spread and standardisation
Roulette became a central attraction as casinos became more established, particularly in Monte Carlo, where François Blanc pioneered the success of the famous Monte Carlo casino.
The Monte Carlo casino became synonymous with the single-zero (0) version of the game, and this version spread across Europe and other parts of the world.
In contrast, the double-zero (00) version took hold in the United States, particularly in the expanding gaming hubs of New Orleans and later in Nevada. The different versions of the game reflected regional preferences, with the single-zero (0) wheel being more common in European casinos and the double-zero (00) wheel dominating in North America.
20th century and technological advancements
The 20th century saw further standardisation and the global spread of Roulette, driven by the rise of legalised gaming and the growth of casinos in various parts of the world. The game became a staple in both land-based and, later, online casinos.
Technological advancements, particularly in the latter half of the century, significantly impacted Roulette. The introduction of electronic betting terminals and automated wheels in physical casinos made the game more efficient and accessible to a larger number of players.
With the advent of the internet in the late 20th century, Roulette transitioned into the digital platforms. Online casinos began offering digital game versions, allowing players to participate from home.
The digital format maintained the same basic rules and gameplay but introduced new features, such as live dealer Roulette, where players could interact with a real dealer via video stream. This merged the convenience of online play with the traditional casino experience.