There are several theories on the origin of the roulette wheel. While most agree that the game originated in France others declare it started in the East, namely China, and was brought to France by Dominican monks who were trading with the Chinese in early seventeenth century.

Those who belong to the school of thought that believes roulette originated in France state that it was the seventeenth century mathematician, Blaise Pascal, who invented the roulette wheel.

Nonetheless, once Prince Charles – the ruler of Monaco had brought the game to his kingdom in the latter half of the eighteenth century, did the game rise dramatically in popularity.

In fact, Prince Charles introduced the game as a measure to alleviate the economic hardships that were facing the region.

With the invention of the single zero (0) by Frenchmen Francois and Louis Blanc, was borne the modern version of the roulette wheel, still in use today.

This took place around the middle of the nineteenth century (1842).  This was the game that eventually made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.

Nonetheless, additions were made to this version, namely that of a double zero (00).  This new game hiked in popularity with the gold rush that later took place in California.