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The History of Roulette from Biribi to the Casino Classic

January 22, 2025

Roulette, and its many variants, has become one of the most beloved and widely played casino games across the globe. With that being said, not many people actually know how this casino classic came about – and it’s pretty interesting. So, let’s go back several centuries and deep dive into the history of roulette, shall we?

The Early Influences

Before Roulette came about, there was an Italian game by the name of Biribissi (or Biribi in English). This game laid the basic foundation for what would become Roulette and involved players betting on which number they thought would be drawn from a bag. Invented sometime during the 17th century, Biribissi was one of the first ever recorded betting games that relied solely on luck and chance.

Biribissi gained popularity throughout the 18th century and spread to other countries, which began making their own adaptations. The first version of Roulette is believed to have originated in France, as ‘Roulette’ translates to ‘little wheel’ in French. To be more specific, a French mathematician named Blaise Pascal is credited with having invented the earliest form of the game.

The First Roulette Wheel

As you can imagine, the first-ever Roulette wheels were very simple in design – nowhere near as detailed or extravagant as they are today. They included numbers ranging from 1 to 36, as well as a single 0.

The design of the wheel came about thanks to the Blanc brothers, who owned a casino in Germany. Once the very first wheel was created (in the 1840s), it was promptly introduced to this casino and became one of its most popular games.

However, the legacy of Roulette did not stop there. Even though it had roots in Europe, it also spread to the Americas and underwent a few more changes. In the American version, the wheel features two 0’s instead of just one, creating the ‘house edge’ aspect of the game. While American Roulette is still popular, it is nowhere near as popular as the traditional European version.

Modern Roulette

With Roulette (and its many variations) being added to casinos across the globe, it’s no surprise that the game became so popular so quickly. In fact, within just a few years, it became a casino staple.

Many believe it is popular because of its simple rules and potential for large payouts. Over the years, players have tried to develop various betting strategies and systems to increase their odds of winning. However, the game relies solely on luck and chance, meaning that there is no strategic element to winning. In many ways, this is what makes it the ultimate casino game.

Like all things, Roulette has changed drastically over the years. Thanks to the introduction of advanced technology, players are now able to spin the wheel online without having to even leave the comfort of their own homes.

History of Roulette Summary

Roulette is a casino classic (based solely on chances and luck) that many people consider the ultimate casino game. Originating in the 17th century as an Italian game called Biribissi, Roulette has undergone various changes throughout its history.

The modern version, which contains numbers 1 through 36 and a single 0, was created in France and has since spread across Europe and the globe. Although there are many variations, the traditional European version remains the most popular.