From Mechanical to Digital: Examining the Evolution of Slots

Although the concept of gambling machines had been around for a while in the 19^th century, it was car mechanic Charles Fey who is credited with creating the first true slot machine, which he invented in 1895. The Liberty Bell had three reels.

Around each reel there were symbols of hearts, diamonds, spades and a cracked Liberty Bell. If a spin resulted in three Liberty Bell symbols, you received the biggest payoff.

Demand for the slot machines exploded. No matter how he tried, Fey couldn’t make them fast enough. Gambling supply manufacturers tried to buy the manufacturing and distribution rights of him, but he wouldn’t sell.

Eventually, Herbert Mill, an arcade machines manufacturer, began producing his own slot machine and used fruit as symbols. He was the first to do this. His machine was called the “Operator Bell”.

Today, slots are popular, especially because of the arrival of video slots and of the internet and the online casino industry, which introduce online slots to gaming fans. Below is a look at how these different slots arrived and how they impacted slot gaming.

The arrival of video slots

There are two main types of slots: classic and regular. People think of classic slots as being the retro ones you’ll see in land-based casinos and online and off. Even though technology has become so advanced enough that players no longer have to pull a lever, some games still have virtual “handle” buttons.

This recreates the experience of playing a “one armed bandit” or vintage fruit machine. Even today, some people prefer this type of slot because of the nostalgia associated with them.

Some might say video slots are more interesting or more exciting than classic slots. That’s because these slots feature one or more extra layers of multimedia. As well as the reels and buttons you’d expect of a regular slot, a video slot game might also feature sounds, animations and thematic graphics. A lot of video slots also boast four or five reels. Mega Moolah is one example of a video slot.

The first video slot, “Fortune Coin”, was a game changer. Born in San Francisco, in the 1970s, the game used technology to revolutionize the world of slots and paved the way for slots that were more visually appealing and more complex. The technology helped slots makers create games and achieve things that weren’t possible with mechanical slots. The video screens were more creative. The games offered more bonuses.

Video slots offered easier play. Machines took up less space in establishments and players could press a button, rather than pull a lever. The games featured automatic payouts, too, instead of requiring an arcade attendant to distribute coins to winners.

Perhaps the biggest and most important feature of the video game slots was the random numbers generator (RGN). This software ensured the game was completely fair. Neither the players nor the operators could interfere with the sequences on the reels. The result of the spins was completely random.

The further transition of slots

Video slots would continue to advance. Multi-tiered jackpots, which have eventually led to progressive jackpots, begun to emerge. Video poker materialised. Games acquired more bonus events. Community-style slots emerged, in which players would win or lose together on banks of slots.

Slots became more and more popular, but while they were advancing in popularity in the 1990s, a new development was on the horizon: online casinos. Entrepreneurs were quick to understand the potential of the internet for gaming and explore it by setting up online casinos, which became popular in the 2000s and made slot gaming even more accessible. No longer did players have to visit a bar, casino, arcade or other establishment to play on slots.

The popularity of online slots has grown so much that the industry has become extremely competitive. There is lots of variety and there are lots of operators, so the casinos have to work hard to attract new players and retain existing ones, which they try to do with a range of spin bonuses and other offers and promotions.

The higher jackpots and extra bonuses online operators can offer are likewise attractive to new and existing players.

Mobile gaming has helped to make slots more accessible. Players don’t have to be at home or at a computer desk to take part in slot gaming. As long as they have internet access, they can play slots on mobile phones, tablets and other smart devices. Operators even tailor the slots to them for the best experience.

Slots have come a long way since Charles Fey invented the first true slot machine in the late 19^th century. Technology has advanced to help slots providers offer players a more modern, more engaging slot gaming experience. Players have more choice than ever, but anyone who prefers classic slots can still play them. In the slot gaming world, there’s room for even the most retro slots.