Key Takeaways
- Charles August Fey developed the first slot machine with an automatic payout, three reels, and playing symbols in 1984.
- 1960s slot machines combined electronic components with traditional mechanics to make the game more reliable.
- The 1970s and 80s marked the era of video slot machines, which replaced physical reels with digital screens.
- The 1990s to 2000s saw the growth of mobile technology, allowing you to enjoy slots anytime and anywhere.
Slot machines, now a staple at online casinos, have undergone significant transformations. They have evolved from simple mechanical devices with spinning reels to sophisticated digital systems accessible from anywhere. Join us as we take a memory trip down into the technological progression of slot machines.
The Birth of Slot Machines (1890s)
Charles August Fey, a San Francisco mechanic, has long been credited with inventing the first true coin-operated slot machines in the late 1800s. In 1894, Fey made a groundbreaking creation, the Card Bell, an early machine that featured an automatic payout mechanism. Card Bell used playing card symbols, including:
- Horseshoes,
- Diamonds,
- Spades,
- Hearts.
This simple yet effective design allowed for automatic payouts of up to 50 cents through its single pay line and three reels.
Charles’ machine paid out winnings through a simple and effective mechanism. If a player got a winning combination from the symbols, coins were released directly into a tray. This machine’s single pay line and three reels set a foundation for future developments.
The Evolution of Mechanical Slots (1900s-1960s)
Following the success of Liberty Bell, the slot machine industry experienced a pivotal moment. In 1902, Hubert Mills introduced a new slot machine, Operator Bell. This was an advanced innovation that introduced the use of familiar fruit symbols like cherries, melons, and BAR.
The Mill’s creation became an instant sensation, capturing the attention of avid gamblers and business owners. This slot’s appeal was not limited to traditional gambling establishments. It transformed the entertaining landscape by entering various spaces, including bars and salons.
In 1964, Bally Manufacturing Co. made a milestone by introducing Money Honey, the first entirely electromechanical slot machine, a classic slot. This machine’s reels were electrically driven while retaining the game’s lever.
The Rise of Video Slots (1970s-1980s)
The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of video slot machines, a significant industrial revolution. This type of slot used screens instead of physical reels, creating a new range of features and gameplay mechanics.
Fortune Coin
This was the first video slot machine. It used a television screen to display the reels and incorporated a microprocessor to manage the game.
Fortune came with enhanced graphics, animations, and sound effects. This improved the gaming experience of slot players, making it more immersive. It even allowed players to include bonus rounds and interactive features, increasing their engagement.
In 1978, the IGT company modified video slots by adding random number generators (RNGs). IGT’s William Redd took over the Fortune Coin company and improved the flagship slot machine’s RNG. Over time, they introduced:
- Better RNG systems,
- More pay lines,
- Bigger payouts.
Progressive slots
Progressive slots took over in the 1980s. The world’s first linked progressive slot, Megabucks, offered top prizes across multiple machines. By the decade’s end, IGT had developed progressive machines, including Wheel of Fortune.
The Introduction of Online Slots (1990s)
This game transitioned to online casinos in the 1990s. Its debut was made by WMS Industries Inc., an organization that had dominated the slot machine industry for a few years.
They began by developing their first video slot with a second-screen bonus. It was Reel ‘Em In, which featured a fishing theme. Players could trigger a Pick’em-style bonus game. This paved the way for second-screen slot bonuses like free spins for years to come.
Additionally, online gambling manufacturers started developing slots that could be played at home due to the speedier and cheaper internet.
An example is Microgaming, an operator in the industry since 1994, which created Cash Splash, the first online progressive jackpot slot. Other providers that joined the production of online slots are:
- NetEnt,
- Playtech,
- Playn’ Go.
Mobile Slots and Modern Features (2000s-Present)
A significant revolution, the shift to online and mobile gaming, was also seen in the 2000s with the introduction of the first smartphone. Smartphones’ portability and convenience opened up new opportunities for gaming on the go.
This saw the adoption of slot machines with straightforward gameplay and engaging features. Casino websites soon started offering downloadable games specifically for mobile devices. The mobile slots retained their desktop counterpart’s attractive features, such as:
- High-quality graphics,
- Sound effects,
- Interactive features.
Over the years, casino game developers have increasingly incorporated sophisticated metagame features to enhance player engagement and extend playtime. They have created unique challenges, rewards, and gaming options beyond traditional slots’ basic spin-and-win mechanics. These games are also available as free slots to play in the demo version.
One of these is:
- Red Tiger’s Daily Jackpot features: The daily jackpot must be won before a specific time each day.
- Hourly jackpot features: This allows players to win substantial rewards within a set tie frame.
Another major innovation is the Megaways engine. This revolutionized traditional slot mechanics by changing the number of slot symbols that land on each reel during a spin.