What Makes Roulette Such a Popular Casino Game?

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A close-up of a female roulette dealer’s hand about to drop the roulette ball into the roulette wheel.
BetMGM Mar 26, 2025, 10:59 AM

There are many classic casino games that have made the switch to the World Wide Web, but few have transitioned to the world of online casino games as well as roulette, a casino game that has entertained players for centuries. Learn more about this classic casino experience, including a brief look at its history and how it works, and why it likely remains popular to this day.

What is Roulette?

The roulette wheel was created in the 17th century by Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and inventor, but the game of roulette itself was only invented around the 18th century. It features a table with a spinning wheel that has 36 or 37 different coloured pockets, depending on which version of the game people play. 

The European version of roulette has a roulette wheel with 36 pockets numbered 0 to 36, with the 0 pocket being green and the other pockets alternating between red and black. The American version of roulette has a roulette wheel with 37 pockets due to an additional pocket numbered 00. In this version of the game, both the 0 and 00 pockets are green, while the remaining pockets are red and black. 

All players need to do is choose what they want to wager on before the roulette wheel starts to spin. They can choose between single numbers, small and large groups of numbers, or red and black bets. Once they’ve made their choice, the game starts with the spinning of the roulette wheel spin. The roulette ball will spin around the wheel until it eventually comes to a stop in one of the numbered pockets that are green, black, or red. 

If they choose the right number, basket of numbers or colour, they’ll be awarded a prize. This payout will vary depending on the odds of their chosen bet. However, if luck isn’t on their side, they’ll forfeit their wager and will need to try again.  

Why Do People Love To Play Roulette?

There are many possible reasons why roulette is one of the most popular offline and online casino table games. These reasons include:

1. It Has Simple Gameplay

If a player is a complete novice with no idea how to play roulette, they don’t need to worry. This casino table game is easy to pick up and play. The range of roulette bets may appear overwhelming at first, but the simpler roulette bets are very straightforward, and players can quickly learn how the slightly more advanced roulette wagers work. This simplicity, compared to other classic casino games, is one of the likely reasons why roulette has had such a lasting appeal among gamblers.

2. It Can Be an Engaging Experience

For some players, the bustle of gamblers around the roulette table in a lively real casino, the rapid-fire action of an RNG online roulette game, or the entertainment provided by a live dealer and other players are elements that add to the appeal of the game for some. 

Another part that heightens the experience for some is the sense of anticipation as the roulette ball clatters to a stop in the roulette wheel, revealing whether they’re a winner or if they need to try their luck again. 

3. It’s a Pure Game of Chance

Some casino games have an element of skill that players need to master if they want to improve their chances of winning. When players wager on roulette, no skill is required to win. All players need to do is place their roulette bet in accordance with good roulette bankroll practices, wait for the dealer to spin the wheel, and see where the roulette ball lands to find out whether they placed a winning wager.

4. It Can Be Fun To Play Offline and Online

Some casino games don’t translate very well into online casino experiences. Roulette is not one of these games. Both RNG and live dealer roulette offer comparable experiences to their traditional offline counterpart, making roulette a game that players can enjoy anywhere and at any time.

5. The Opportunity for a Social Experience

Casino roulette and live dealer roulette both have the potential to be a great social experience. Players gather around the roulette wheel to find out whether they’ve won or lost, giving them the opportunity to share their glory or misery with other players. 

6. There Are Many Online Roulette Games to Play

Roulette’s online transition to the virtual world has allowed it to evolve into many new and exciting variants, giving old and young gamblers alike a great way to experience this centuries-old gambling game. When people play online roulette, they can experience roulette games like 25c Roulette, American Roulette, Roulette X, and many other thrilling titles.

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Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.