Origins of the Slot Gaming Industry
Take a trip down the Las Vegas strip and see how popular casinos are. Casino cities are a huge draw for visitors worldwide, from Macao and Monaco to London, Paris, and Atlantic City.
Whether playing online or in brick-and-mortar establishments, casinos offer gamers a unique atmosphere and unrivalled edge-of-the-seat entertainment. There’s a whole host of games on offer too, including a wide variety of slots, plus poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and more.
Slots are one of the most popular games in the world, and thanks to the internet, they’re available 24/7, making them accessible and convenient to play. Gamers can also choose from thousands of titles online, including all the latest releases.
The First Slot Machine
The first modern-day slot machine was invented in 1894, in San Francisco, by Charles August Fey. His coin-operated machine proved such an enormous hit that Fey invented a new machine and opened a factory to keep up with the ensuing demand.
In 1898, the Card Bell appeared. This was the first three-reel slot machine that automatically paid out cash prizes. The now-famous Liberty Bell machine quickly followed in 1899 and proved an instant success. Unfortunately for Fey, rival competitors entered the market eager for a piece of the pie, catapulting slot machines into the mainstream.
The Electromechanical Era
The 1960s saw advances in technology that led to the first-ever electromechanical slot. The Bally Manufacturing Co. introduced Money Honey in 1964. The machine featured a bottomless hopper and was the first slot to pay up to 500 coins.
The traditional pulling of the lever was still used to start the game, even though the reels were electrically powered. However, the handle was soon phased out and replaced with the now familiar buttons.
Video Slots
The 1970s saw technology take another leap forward and the release of another exciting slot. The Fortune Coin company introduced the first-ever video slot machine, which appeared in the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.
After approval by the Nevada State Gaming Commission, the machines quickly found favor with visitors. Their popularity soon spread and was a key factor in the transformation of old-fashioned gaming casinos into the exciting entertainment venues of today.
Progressive Jackpot
In 1986, progressive jackpots were introduced in casinos with the Megabucks slots. The pot increased every time a player failed to scoop, creating a jackpot with no limit.
In 1987, the first-ever winner of the progressive jackpot scooped $4,988,842.17 and made history. The story was a huge sensation and further cemented the popularity of slots.
Online Casinos
The 1990s saw the advent of the internet and online casinos. Suddenly, gamers were able to access their favorite games 24/7. The first online slot game was Cash Splash, and its success marked the beginning of the digital age for slot gaming.
As technology improved, slot titles did too. Better graphics and sound effects created more immersive games, while unique bonus features and large payouts added to the excitement.
The Mobile Era
While mobile slots have been around since the early 2000s, it wasn’t until the advent of 3G internet that they really took off. With a faster, more secure connection and improved smartphone uptake, slots became widely available to anyone with a mobile phone.
Developers created apps for players to download, giving them a virtual casino in their pocket. Suddenly, slots had a global audience who loved the convenience, simple gameplay, and potential for large payouts.
Benefits of playing online versus a physical casino:
- No queues
- No dress code
- Huge variety of games available
- Convenience
- Accessibility
- Better bonuses and promotions
- Bigger jackpots
Ever-improving technology saw faster, more secure broadband speeds and more powerful smartphones. That allowed game designers to create more immersive and exciting slot games, attracting more fans.
Their success has led to a cultural shift in attitudes towards gaming and a relaxation of gaming laws in many countries.
New Technology
Technological advances have consistently inspired slots’ evolution throughout the years. Each step has seen slots evolve into ever more exciting machines, from electromechanical breakthroughs to microchips and the internet. Today, technology is advancing faster than ever, and game designers are constantly seeking to utilize these advances to create better games.
The recent breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence has seen online casinos create more personalised playing experiences for gamers to enjoy. Advances in 3D, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality have opened up an exciting new world of opportunity for game designers. Slots may have been around for over 100 years, but their future has never looked more assured.
