How Have Casino Slots Changed Over The Years?
Slots are some of the most popular casino games of all time, and they’ve changed a lot since the game was first created. With this in mind, we thought we’d take a look back at the slot machine’s origins and its evolution to the modern-day video slot. Take a look below to find out more:
The Liberty Bell Machine
The first iteration of the slot machine was created back in 1891by Sittman and Pitt. The machine featured five drums with 50 card faces and required players to pull a lever to spin the drums and create a combination, similar to those found in poker. By 1895, Charles Fey made several modifications to the machine and created the Liberty Bell, which featured three main reels with five symbols; diamonds, spades, hearts, a Liberty Bell, and horseshoes too.
Although the Liberty Bell proved to be a huge success, it was banned in California, where it was created, but slot manufacturers quickly created their own copies of the device. By the early 1900s, the machines were available everywhere and widely enjoyed.
Casino Slot Machines
Bally created the first fully electronic slot machine in 1963. Named Money Honey, the machine was the first slot with an automatic payout, and its launch led to the eventual creation of the first-ever video slot in 1976 by Fortune Coin Co, which was later bought out by IGT. The video slot machines launched at the Hilton Hotel in Vegas, and after several modifications were made to clamp down on cheating, the video slot machines were approved by the Nevada State Gambling Commission.
In 1996, the video slot machine was revolutionised when WMS released Reel ‘Em, the first-ever video slot to feature a second screen bonus round with additional payouts. The game was a huge success and led to a surge in the popularity of video slot machines in the USA and all over the world too.
Online Slots and Modern-Day Games
The internet changed gaming forever, particularly with the launch of online casinos and hundreds of sister sites. Many of the brick-and-mortar video slots were adapted into online slots, becoming compatible with desktop computers and laptop devices. From the late 1990s and early 2000s, several game studios such as Microgaming and NetEnt launched with an aim to create fun and exciting online slots, and they did.
As online slots and casinos experienced a surge in popularity, more and more game studios launched, and developers began making more advanced slots with improved visuals and animations, sound effects, and gameplay mechanics. This led to online slots with avalanche and cascading wins features, jackpot mechanics, expanding symbols, and Big Time Gaming’s MegaWays engine, which offers unpredictable gameplay.
Today, video slot developers continue to push the boundaries of online slots and, in the process, have managed to create hundreds of popular and famous online slots. There’s plenty for you to enjoy today across dozens of online casino websites, offering hours of entertainment and potential cash wins.
Photo by Steve Sawusch on Unsplash