Nowadays, a very popular pastime for many and perhaps even a source of income for some is playing online roulette games.

Inception

Even before the advent of computers and the internet, however, roulette had already established a niche in the world of gaming and gambling. Originally a French game, the name itself is French in origin and means “little wheel.”

Many attribute the invention of roulette to the mathematician and physicist, Blaise Pascal, during the seventeenth century. Pascal was a scientist who held a fascination for devices that hinted at perpetual motion. In his quest for such an object, Pascal was reported to have experimented with a large wheel. However, it was purportedly one of Pascal’s friends who had the ingenious idea of using Pascal’s wheel as an apparatus for gambling, much to the delight of those who engage in online roulette games today.

The first ever recorded game was played in Paris in 1796 although the initial appearance of the original roulette contraption was reported in the same city in 1765.

Evolution

French immigrants brought the popular game over to the United States sometime during the mid 1800s. At this time, two French nationals, Francois and Louis Blanc, modified the original roulette device by adding a “0” to the wheel in order to increase the advantages in favour of the house. Later, when roulette made its way to the United States, another alteration was made and a second “0” was added for the purpose of increasing the house advantage even more. During this time, the popularity of the game in casinos across Europe and America was unrivalled, and it rightfully earned the title “King of Casino Games.”

Survival and Dominance

Through the years, however, the popularity of roulette has waxed and waned, at times affected by other games such as blackjack and craps. Nevertheless, a large number of people still play roulette at casinos and a growing number even enjoy online roulette games today.

Whatever the trend, roulette remains to be the oldest existing game played in casinos today. The staying power of the game lies perhaps in the simplicity and ease with which it can be played and in the thrill and anticipation that are felt with every roll of the tiny ball.