A Brief History of Roulette
Roulette, as it is known today, dates back to the late 1700s. Then a strictly European game it eventually made its way to the United States where uncontrolled cheating on the parts of the players and casino operators caused it to evolve into a slightly different version from that in Europe.
The game was the most popular casino game throughout the world during the 1880s, but as gambling and casinos began to be banned in Europe the game was forced to migrate to the last outpost of legalized play – Monte Carlo. Here it acquired the reputation for elegance and sophistication that still clings to the “King of Casino Games” today.
On the North American continent however the game made its way up the Mississippi River from New Orleans and then out into the rough and tumble world of the American West. This is where the minor changes to the game occurred – the wheel was no longer built into a gaming table, but instead placed on top to prevent any devices or tricks to make cheating possible. The betting layout was also simplified for faster play, and the “single” zero wheel had a new “double” zero added for greater winning opportunities.
The double zero wheel may have originate in the casinos of the United States, but today it is the predominant version of the game played in many popular gambling areas of the world including the Caribbean and South America. Monte Carlo, Europe and other regions still rely on the single zero wheels of old.
The game has a history unique from other casino games, primarily because of its association with Monte Carlo. This small city within the tiny country of Monaco has long been connected to wealthy and famous individuals, glamour and high stakes gambling. The game’s reputation is given further mystique due, in part to its appearance in popular films such as “Casablanca” – where the casino owner played by Humphrey Bogart uses a rigged wheel to provide refugees with big winnings, or for its numerous appearances throughout the many James Bond films.
Remarkably the game has been transformed into many other forms of popular gaming, including its frequent appearance at carnivals and fairs where players win prizes if they select the correct number, and even in the internationally famous television game show “Wheel of Fortune” where players spin a dramatically large wheel in an effort to win money as they solve a puzzle. Today, there are even entire television channels dedicated to the game, where viewers can phone in their wagers on “live” in studio spins of the wheel! While these are not Roulette in the strictest sense, they do prove just how influential the casino game has been on culture throughout the world.