How The Game Of Online Roulette Became So Popular

Whether it’s in the traditional setting or online, there are few games that attract quite as much attention as roulette. It has become one of the most famous games in the world and is often one of the first things that pop into mind when you think about gambling or casinos.

Often considered as the game of choice for more experienced gamblers, this popularity has transferred over to the Internet. Today you can find many places online to play roulette for real money without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

But what really makes the game so popular, particularly amongst online players?

The Origins of Roulette

It’s actually fairly difficult to trace the origins of the game. The widely held belief is that the game was invented by Blaise Pascal – a French physicist – in the 17^th century. His work with probability was revolutionary for its time and his L’Histoire de la Roulette paper is credited with coming up with the concept of the game.

However, it can’t be said for certain that this is where the game originated. Other theories state it to be of Italian origin. This can be backed up by encyclopedias in the 18^th century, in particular, often referring to the game as Italian Roulette.

The game made its way over to the United States in the later 18^th century, with early variations offering a number of differences to the European form. For one, early American roulette featured 28 numbers, rather than 38, plus added in the 0, 00 and Eagle symbols. All of these gave a greater edge to the house. Over time the Eagle was removed and the numbers were upped to 36, alongside the two zero variations, to bring the game more in-line with the European versions.

Why Is Roulette So Popular?

The popularity of the game can be attributed to a number of different factors, the key three being listed below.

·         Accessibility

As with many great games, accessibility is key. If you consider the other popular casino games, such as Blackjack and the slots, you will find that keeping things simple attracts more new players. Without having to spend time learning an enormous list of rules, players can dig into the game without any hesitation and still have as much chance of winning as more experienced players.

This accessibility is what draws people to roulette, particularly online where players are looking to bet as quickly as possible without getting bogged down by reading pages of content explaining the game.

·         Strategy

Having said that, roulette requires a little more strategy than a lot of simpler games of chance. Players do need to understand the various types of bet available to them, in addition to recognizing which form of the game that are playing.

With choices ranging between French roulette, through to the European and American styles, each of which has slightly different rules, those who are interested in figuring the game out actually have something to dig their teeth into. As with many great games, roulette offers players an easy way in but calls on them to learn more if they really want to master the game and increase their odds of winning.

·         Prestige

There is also a lot to be said for the prestige and romanticism that has been attached to roulette over the years. The game carries with it a sense of style and class that a lot of others lack, plus the fact that it is not easy to play at home with a traditional set-up only adds to the allure.

Furthermore, the game has such a rich history and has been associated with the idea of casinos for almost as long as they have existed. Couple that with the excitement and build-up of watching the ball roll and the wheel rotate and you have a game that has drawn people in for years.

·         Online Growth

As alluded to earlier, roulette is a game that is difficult to play at home. Unlike card-based games, players needed a fairly complex set-up if they wished to play for cash without going to a casino.

Then the online casino boom happened. The rise of the Internet also offered players the opportunity to enjoy the game around the clock. Better yet, a lot of sites began creating variations and additions to the game that made it even more appealing. It was now possible to play roulette for real money in the comfort of your own home, but the changes didn’t stop there.

As online casinos became more advanced and technology began to evolve, the live experience became more important. Now, websites are able to offer live games of roulette with real dealers, further simulating the traditional experience and giving players even less reason to leave their homes, as everything can be done online.

New apps and other innovations have seen this trend increase, to the point where it is a major contributor to the $45.86 billion that online casinos generate each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of common questions to players looking to play the game online with actual stakes tend to have.

Are There Advantages to Online Roulette?

There are a few. You can play anywhere and at any time, plus you can generally play for smaller stakes than in traditional establishments. Furthermore, you get the additional privacy offered by playing online and the option to play in your own home.

Is It Legal To Play For Real Money Online?

This is a question that is hard to answer. It is best to check with your local authorities to find out what the laws are, as they differ between countries and states. There are a number of online casinos that allow you to play for real money.

What Is The House Edge?

It depends on the version you play. For the American version, the house edge is the largest thanks to the two zero slots. This is halved in the European version, where there is only one zero slot. The French version of the game is even better, as you will receive half of your wager back if the ball lands on zero.

The Final Word

The prestige and history likely play a role in the continued online popularity of roulette, but it is the accessibility and variety on offer that are the biggest factors.

The game has evolved often over time and the rise of online betting has only helped with this. In the future, we will likely see more variations of it pop up, coupled with the rise of live playing.