The Wheel to the Net: The Development of Roulette 

Roulette remains one of the most popular games in any casino. But, where did the game come from? And, how has technology aided the development and diversity in its gameplay? Let’s take a look. 

Rise of Online Roulette 

Roulette has been a key element of casinos since their inception. So, as technology developed and online casinos were born, online roulette naturally solidified itself as a popular online casino game. Whilst the choice for online roulette games was quite sparse during the rise of online casinos in the late 90s and early 00s, today there is a wide range of different games for players to choose from. 

Thanks to their basis in technology, the medium of online roulette lends itself to experimenting with different themes, mediums, and gameplay options. For example, when table game enthusiasts play roulette at Paddy Power they can select from seasonal games like 20p Roulette Christmas, Wild West inspired Sticky Bandits Roulette Live, the extra-terrestrial Quantum Roulette, K-Pop Roulette, and more. These games use a mixture of sound effects, soundtracks, graphics, virtual effects, and costuming to create immersive themed casino experiences. 

In addition to this, the medium of online roulette has developed over the years, too. One way to play online roulette uses a similar logic to video slots, in that the roulette wheel is a digital graphic powered by random number generators (RNGs) – a key ingredient behind most online casino games according to TechTarget. However, perhaps one of the most popular innovations of modern roulette is the rise in live gaming options. These live streamed games use a physical roulette wheel, and video feeds are streamed in real time to a group of players for engaging and authentic gameplay. 

Invention of the Roulette Wheel 

Whilst some modern forms of roulette need no equipment, live online roulette and in-person games require a table and a wheel. The wheel has either 37 or 38 pockets, depending on if you’re playing by the American or European rulebook. When the wheel is spun, a ball will roll around the outer edge before landing in one of the numbered pockets. This is matched with a grid laid out on the gaming table, and anyone who placed a bet on that number will be rewarded. 

Despite being the crooks of the game, the history behind the invention of the roulette wheel leaves a lot up to interpretation. Some historians believe that an early version of the wheel was invented by Blaise Pascal in the 17th century, when he was attempting to create a perpetual motion machine. Others have made connections between the roulette wheel and one used in 18th century England for a game known as Even Odd, or EO. 

However, one thing for sure is that the game of roulette was being played in Quebec by 1758, and in Paris in 1796, the latter as author Jaques Lablee describes the gameplay and wheel down to the pockets in his novel La Roulette, ou le Jour. 

And there you have it – a brief history of the traditional game of roulette, and how the rise in online casinos has generated innovative forms of roulette. All that’s left to do is see if you get lucky!