By Mitch Rice
Online casinos are extremely popular today, and slot games are the most popular games in any casino, almost regardless of the region or jurisdiction. Why so? Firstly, slots are plenty; many providers make only slots and release at least 1 new game each month, while some companies make up to 3-4 games per month, every month, year after year. So slot games are plenty and very different; the gamblers can choose them by theme, features, mechanics. etc. For example, the best Microgaming casino actually offer hundreds of slot games of “all size and color”.
Secondly, slots are very easy to learn and play. Each game has its own tech specs, its own features, theme, and design, and obviously, some slots are better than others. But the concepts behind all games are pretty much the same – the player chooses the size of the bet and hopes to be lucky enough to win. No previous experience or complicated strategies are needed, so slots are pure fun.
If you are curious about slots, their concept, history, and how they work, check this post out!
First Mechanical Slots
The very first slots were obviously mechanical, and the first such machine was made in New York. It included 50 playing cards on 5 drums and the first “paylines” were card combinations – poker hards – on the reels. Such machines were available in numerous bars and anyone could play them. The machine did not suggest giving out the winnings automatically, so all the winnings were paid at the bar. Also, it is important to underline that there were no payouts as such, but prizes and the prizes were given as free cigars and free drinks.
The first mechanical slot with free spinning reels without cards but with the symbols of spade, diamond, and heart, was created in 1895. Among the symbols, there was an image of a cracked Liberty Bell; three Liberty Bell symbols gave the biggest payout. The machine was called the Liberty Bell and was invented in San Francisco.
First Arcade Machines
Taking Liberty Bell as a prototype, in 1907 a manufacturer in Chicago started making a slot machine resembling Liberty Bell, but he added fruit symbols on the reels.
In 1964, an operator Bally released a completely electromechanical slot machine, the first of its kind, and called it Money Honey. The game had to be started by pulling the lever, and then the reels spun electrically. Another unique feature of Money Honey was that it had an automatic payout, 500 coins maximum. The game became incredibly popular. With time, the lever was removed from the machine and it was generally improved.
First Video Slots
In 1976, the very first real video slot was created by the Fortune Coin company in Las Vegas. The game included a somewhat modified 19 inches Sony TV as a display, and the reels were not moving mechanically or electrically anymore but used a more complicated random number generator to hit the paylines. It had to go through the cheat-proofing checks and certain modifications before it was allowed officially by the Nevada State Gaming Commission. The first video slots became available in the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, and in a short time, they became hugely popular among gamblers. In 1978, the Fortune Coin was bought by IGT – the casino games provider that now makes awesome online slots.
Slots Go Online
In 1996, WMS Industries Inc. created the very first online slot game for online casino platforms. Besides being completely unique and “never seen before”, this new slot had a so-called bonus round. If the player hit the bonus round, the screen of the game changed completely to provide an even more interesting gaming experience. The bonus round also offered additional payouts.
This first online slot game began a glorious era of online slots of all sizes and colors that would satisfy every gambler’s fancy. Everything started with classic games that we now call old-school, but as the designs and technologies evolved, online slots began looking more and more like top-quality video games. More features and more options for winning were added, as well and more options for customization to meet each player’s needs.
Today, online slots are not only the most popular, but also some of the most entertaining, satisfying, and well-paying online casino games.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment, medical or other purposes.
