Roulette: A Game Played For Centuries And For Centuries To Come

Roulette is a game that’s often classed as a casino classic due to its unwavering popularity throughout the years.

Players flock to try their luck at predicting where a small ball will land within a pocketed wheel when spun into play.

A game comprised of a wheel, a corresponding betting table and a small white ball, Roulette has captured the attention of players all over the world.

With both real money online Roulette and land-based games available to play, the game has been spun for centuries – and we can see why.

So, follow us as we show you why Roulette has stood the test of time, and why we believe it’s a game that’ll be played for centuries to come.

Where it all began

Many believe that the first blueprints for the Roulette wheel were invented by accident when French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher and writer, Blaise Pascal, tried to invent a perpetual motion machine in the 17^th century.

Roulette no doubt descends from a French origin, with the name itself translating to “little wheel” in French. However, it’s said that the game itself, both design and gameplay, are influenced by two similar games that were popular in Europe in the 17^th century: ‘Roly Poly’ and ‘Even-Odd’. Both of these games featured a wheel being spun and placing a wager on the outcome of the spin.

Gambling wasn’t as popular in the 17^th century as it is today, as it was deemed illegal in many countries within Europe, however, in the late 18^th century, Europe saw the introduction of strict gambling laws that revived betting games in France, allowing Roulette to grow in popularity.

A change in gameplay

Up until 1842, a game of Roulette was comprised of a pocketed wheel containing numbers 1-36, one single zero and one double zero pockets, with numbers 1-36 alternating in red and black and the zeros in green. However, in 1842, two French brothers, Francois and Louis Blanc, who had moved to Hamburg, Germany, removed the double zero from play, lowering the house edge from 5.26% to 2.70%. This opened up the chance for a higher return to player (RTP) rates and lower odds. This variation became a big hit with players.

Overseas

In the 19^th century, when some European settlers landed in Louisiana and introduced the game to Americans, not everything was smooth sailing as casino proprietors weren’t happy with such a low house edge, and decided they wanted to increase it, and surprisingly, the gambling community in America also rejected the idea of just a single zero in play, so double zero pocket was added back into play. This is now known as American Roulette.

Online

As the love for the game grew around the world, and with the advancement in technology, we soon saw the first online casino open in 1996, and a new audience of players being introduced to Roulette games of different variants. Since the first virtual doors opened, we’ve seen many more online casinos pop up and offer an authentic casino experience to players, from the comfort of their sofa.

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With Roulette transitioning to an online platform as well as in land-based casino venues, it’s clear this love affair for predicting where the ball will land within the pocketed wheel will be enjoyed for centuries more to come.