History of Roulette

Roulette is undoubtedly one of the most played casino games today. Millions of gamers play it both online and offline. But where exactly did roulette come from, and what does the future hold for this game? Keep reading to unearth the rich history of roulette, from the early origins to today's high-tech online version.

Who is the founder of roulette?

Roulette was introduced in the 17th century in France by Blaise Pascal. Historians believe that he created the game's primitive form in his mission to develop a perpetual motion machine. No wonder roulette is a French word for "little wheel."

According to pieces of literature, roulette was played in Paris as early as 1796. Back then, the wheels had a single zero (red) and double zero (black). Later on in the 1800s, the color green was introduced to prevent confusion during gameplay.

Romans and Greeks liked it too

Being a soldier during ancient times wasn't a fun occupation for any Roman. Besides the shortened life expectancy, most of them had to watch their friends brutally killed and seriously wounded. So to boost the soldiers' morale, the commanders let them have fun by gambling. The games involved spinning the chariot wheel or a shield, just like roulette.

Greek soldiers were not left behind when it comes to the troubles of combat. They always had to dodge arrows and spears. So, like their Roman counterparts, they used their shields and spears to have some fun. They drew symbols on the shield and then placed it face-down with a spear or arrow next to it. After that, the soldiers would spin the shield, then bet on the symbol matching the arrow.

The game spreads in Europe

Again, two Frenchmen, Louis and Francois Blank, introduced the single zero style roulette but this time in Germany. They aimed to help their casino compete against other casinos providing the traditional wheel.

In the 1860s, the German government banned all gambling activities forcing the Blank family to relocate their casino business to Monte Carlo. It's here that the single zero version became popular and exported globally, except in the US, where the double zero game is still dominant.

Roulette sails to America

French immigrants popularized roulette in the 1700s when New Orleans was the mecca of US gambling. But because of the widespread rigging by players and operators, it was agreed that the wheel is placed over the table. This way, a player can't hide devices below the table. This birthed the American Roulette game.

The age of online roulette

1996 was the year when the first online casino went live. As expected, there was only a handful of blackjack tables and video slots. But it didn't take long before players started enjoying online roulette on their mobile phones. The best mobile casinos allow players to play any roulette variant, including American, European, French, etc.

But there is more to this than playing all roulette variants. For starters, gamers can enjoy playing roulette right from the comfort of their homes or anywhere else. This can be in the train, taxi, office, and more. Also, playing online roulette saves you from dealing with unnecessary noises from slot machines and other players.

Interestingly, some players still wish to play the game against other online roulette lovers. In that case, most online casinos offer live dealer rooms where you can immerse yourself and showcase your playing skills to the world. In short, it feels like a real casino.

The Parting Shot

After many years of lagging behind, roulette is finally making a loud comeback. Its recent success is mostly down to online casinos that make it possible for punters to access the game anywhere, anytime. Add in the game's meager house advantage, and roulette is the casino game to play this year.