Roulette is one of the oldest forms of gambling, and it remains hugely popular today. A lot of this is down to the simple and compelling format of the game. However, that is not the only reason why it is still one of the first choices for both online and land-based casino players.
Another is the fact that it has evolved as a game without the crucial elements being sacrificed. Differing versions of roulette have emerged over the years and the digital revolution in gaming has also led to changes in the way that it is played. However, the fundamental elements of the game remain the same, and this keeps players coming back time and again.
Below we will explore the evolution of roulette from its humble beginnings to the modern-day versions of the game that are enjoyed by many today.
Roulette is commonly thought to have its origins in a medieval Italian idea called Rota Fortunae, meaning Wheel of Fortune in English. Of all the theories about the invention of roulette as a game, the most widely believed is it took place during the 17th century in Italy.
Encyclopedias referred to games featuring 38 numbers as both Big Roulette and Italian Roulette. However other sources claim that Blaise Pascal, a scientist from France, invented the game while attempting to create a machine for perpetual motion. The UK also contributed to its development, with King Charles in England adding the number 0 to the wheel.
Eventually roulette would evolve to produce two versions of the game that became the ones most played in casinos around the world. These were American Roulette and European Roulette.
Both versions feature a numbered wheel that the dealer spins the ball on, but there are subtle differences to the setup of the game. American and European Roulette wheels will each have the traditional numbers ranging from 1 to 36 in alternate red and black colored pockets. However, those numbers are positioned in different sequences around the wheel.
Another major variance is that a European Roulette wheel has just a single green 0 pocket. By contrast an American Roulette wheel adds a second green pocket numbered 00.
Once these different versions of the game had settled, roulette quickly became a regular fixture in casinos all over the world. Outside of the USA, the European game was far more popular, because the presence of only one 0 meant that the edge in favor of the casino was lower.
This is one of the main reasons why roulette enjoyed more enduring popularity in Europe compared with the USA, as the American version made it harder to beat the house. However, the next stage in the evolution of roulette would soon change things.
When online casinos started to pop up on the internet during the 1990s, roulette was a standard feature. Globalised online gaming meant that more people in the US discovered European Roulette. With its better odds, this helped the game to grow in popularity again among American players.
Online roulette started out as a purely digital experience, with players gambling alone against algorithms. Rapid advances in technology allowed for the development of live casino gaming which means players can now play in real time against other players from the comfort of their own homes. There is no doubt that live roulette games bring things to a whole new level. It means that players can connect to an actual roulette dealer by live video link and see a real-life roulette table spin.
With the emergence of multiple new forms of online entertainment, including e-sports and other competitive online gaming options, online casinos have had to up their game when it comes to innovation as well as graphics and gameplay. This can be seen in the live options discussed previously, as well as the creation of casino games with different themes, particularly in games like roulette. They include things like London Roulette and Sports Roulette, as well as multiple roulette games influenced by pop culture.
Roulette games are also now available on many more platforms. There are new online casinos springing up all the time and most of them are busy developing apps that let people play games on mobile devices. These developments allow roulette to stay relevant in a highly competitive market and to attract new and old players alike.
Roulette has a long history, and the story is far from over.
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