Basic Information

Many myths and rumors surround the history of Roulette, adding an air of mystic to the already intriguing game. There are tales of Blaise Pascal, a 17th Century French mathematician, inventing Roulette and stories that the game was created in China and brought to Europe by Dominican monks who were trading with the Chinese.

Although the origin of Roulette is unclear it’s popularity in the late 18th century, beginning with the elitists gambling palace at Monte Carlo in Monaco, is very well known. The name itself, ‘Roulette,’ is a French word meaning Small Wheel which signifies the game, as we know it today, originated somewhere within the French culture.

Monaco is the smallest country in the world measuring approximately three-quarters of a square mile. When history led the Principality to financial problems towards the end of the 1800’s Prince Charles, ruler of Monaco at the time, decided to bring gambling to Monaco. Although he allowed the gambling venture to proceed he was unsure it would succeed.

Francois Blanc was a highly successful casino operator in Germany at the time and when he heard of the Monaco Monte Carlo project he was very intrigued. In 1863 Blanc signed a 50-year franchise contract and built the luxurious Monte Carlo casino in a manner to attract the richest members of society. Blanc persuaded French authorities to build a highway to Monte Carlo and to extend the railway from Nice, which opened Monte Carlo to the world.

Although over time gambling became legalized throughout nearby France the game of Roulette remained exclusive to Monte Carlo until 1933, which kept not only the luxurious Monte Carlo Casino popular but also the game of Roulette