Posted by Historically, casino Roulette is one of the oldest casino games. There are several types, but the two main ones are American Roulette and its sister, the European wheel. There is a slight difference between these two casino wheels.
The American wheel has two zero squares, which gives the house a 5.3% advantage on players’ bets. On the other hand, the European wheel only has one zero space, which reduces the house advantage to 2.7%. Players, therefore, have better chances of winning when they play European Roulette.
Despite the odds, American Roulette retains its popularity in US casinos.
Invention of Roulette
The US version of casino Roulette has been around for over two centuries.
Below, we uncover American Roulette’s history over time, from the game’s origin to the most recent versions.
Trace the roots of Roulette to its origin in 1655, when the brilliant French mathematician Blaise Pascal conceived the idea of a perpetual motion gaming system. Pascal’s wheel featured 36 numbers without a zero, setting the stage for a game that would stand the test of time.
Adding Zero to the Original Roulette
Pascal’s wheel has remained as it was in 1655. Originally, the vocation of the game was not a game of chance, nor even a game of money.
Brothers François and Louis Blanc introduced the European version in 1842 by adding the zero to the 36 spaces of the wheel.
Interested in the invention of the Blanc brothers, Charles III, sovereign of Monaco, brought this innovative version to the prestigious Monte-Carlo Casino in 1865.
During Charles III’s reign, Monaco was experiencing financial difficulties as gambling was illegal in France and Italy during the 19th century.
By making casino wheels legal in Monaco, the principality’s funds boomed thanks to wealthy Europeans trying their luck on the Blanc brothers casino Roulettes. Moreover, affluent clients had fun saying bets on the color Red or Black were futile – only White won (in French, Blanc translates to “White”).
Roulette Comes to America
Casino Roulette crossed the ocean to American shores in the 1800s.
The game came to the United States with French immigrants who landed in Louisiana, fleeing the French Revolution between May 5, 1789 – November 9, 1799.
Back in the 1800s, New Orleans was the gambling capital of the US! However, casino owners did not like French Roulette because of its low house edge.
To improve their margins and make the game more attractive, gambling house operators agreed to add an extra zero (the double zero) to Roulette in 1820, and title it American Roulette.
American Casinos
Contrary to popular belief, the first US casinos were not born in Las Vegas.
In 1815, a significant moment unfolded in New Orleans when casinos became legal. The visionary theater owner, John Davis, seized this opportunity, unveiling the nation’s inaugural casino, The Crescent City House, in 1827. However, it was short-lived, as the Louisiana legislature passed a law in 1835, abruptly closing the doors of John Davis’s gaming establishment.
The turning point for the American casino landscape came in 1931 when Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced a huge shift. Gambling, previously prohibited, was now legalized, bringing an influx of money to the local economy and its entire region. Since then, Las Vegas has become the most dynamic US city for gaming.
American Roulette
This variant meant a vast 12.90% advantage to gambling houses. However, players quickly got sick of this version of the game as it felt like a massive scam.
Today, American Roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1 to 36 and the 2 zero spaces.
Rise of Online Roulette
The digital age ushered in the birth of online casinos in the 1990s. Initially overlooked, online casinos gradually gained popularity by 2000, and American Roulette found its place in online gaming catalogs.
This electronic format meant players could try their luck from the comfort of their computers, tablets, or mobile phones. As a surprising development, innovative gaming operators have successfully replicated real gaming rooms on the web, offering players a lifelike casino atmosphere.
Online Games with Real Dealers
Until 2006, casino sites had a major disadvantage for Roulette enthusiasts as they were only playable in electronic format. Thus, players preferred going to actual casinos to experience the tangible sensations of the game.
Web operators focused on innovation, successfully recreating authentic gaming rooms with live-streaming servers. One notable platform showcasing these innovations is the Grand Mondial Casino site, highlighting the expertise of premier suppliers in the industry.
Providers like Real Dealer Studios have pushed the boundaries of the gaming experience to the extreme. While their most successful games center around European Roulette, they also offer a US version of the 36-number wheel for customers of affiliated casino sites.
Las Vegas Roulette
Las Vegas Roulette stands as the epitome of the gaming experience. The largest resorts in Las Vegas attract thousands of tourists daily with a vast array of games, entertainment, and major events.
American roulette tables are a staple in all Las Vegas City casinos, inviting players to try their luck against the dealers.
The cherry on top awaits those seeking an extra thrill – you can play triple zero Roulettes with three zeros at the Venetian Las Vegas. However, be careful; the chances of winning may be less favorable in this high-stakes variant.