Roulette is arguably one of the most iconic casino games out there. It’s been around for hundreds of years now and is unique among other table games, using neither dice nor playing cards in its gameplay.
But how much do you know about the origins of this classic game? The Blanc brothers – Francois and Louis – played a big part in bringing Roulette into widespread play. So, let’s take a look at just how these two French brothers popularised a casino classic that is still a staple of both the land-based and online casino to this day.
The origin of the Blanc brothers
So, who were the Blanc brothers? Well, the pair were born in France during the early 19th century and grew up during a period of particular change for the European continent.
We don’t need to delve too much into the particulars of their early lives, but the Blancs were quick to make their marks as shrewd businessmen as they made their way in the world. They became involved with casino games fairly early on in their careers, going on to make them a defining cornerstone of their legacy.
From smaller ventures, the Blancs identified the potential of a game known as Roulette. While they featured other games in their establishments, there was no denying that Roulette was their centrepiece.
The Origins of Roulette
The Blancs certainly didn’t invent the game of Roulette – it had already been around for some time before they became involved in the story. Still, it was an undeniably French game.
Roulette’s iconic wheel was reportedly first designed by French physicist Blaise Pascal in his quest to create a perpetual motion machine. The wheel was not what Pascal had intended, but his design went on to become the inspiration for a new game. (To this day, nobody has managed to create a true perpetual motion machine).
Taking inspiration from other, older games, Roulette focused on wagers over where a ball would land when spun around the spinning wheel. The simple core concept quickly caught on, springing up in French parlours and establishments throughout Paris.
Taking Roulette out of France
While Roulette was an established game before the Blanc brothers, they were ultimately responsible for taking it abroad. The Blancs were granted permission to set up a casino in the spa town of Bad Homberg in Germany in the 1840s.
Before long, their establishment became a popular destination for European aristocrats – particularly as French regulations on casino games became harsher.
But by the 1860s, German regulations had also started to tighten, prompting the Blanc brothers to seek out a new location for their business. Within a few years, they had settled upon the answer of heading to Monaco, with the blessing of its ruler, Prince Charles III.
This venture would become the now-famous Monte Carlo Casino, with Roulette being one of its principal games. Once the casino was built it quickly helped to transform the economy of the country, putting the city of Monte Carlo and the game of Roulette firmly on the map.
So, there you have it. Without the Blancs, the game of Roulette might not have risen to become one of the staples of modern casinos.
