It is impossible to imagine a modern online gambing room without slot machines. Despite this, casino slots appeared much later than other gambling games – be it blackjack, poker, keno, or roulette. So, let’s dive deep into the history and check how it all started.
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Stage 1 – Sittman and Pitt
In 1891, Sittman and Pitt developed the prototype of a modern slot machine. It consisted of five reels and covered cards instead of regular icons that we got used to. To win in the game, you had to get one of the poker combinations on the screen. The slot machine became popular very quickly and was initially used in local bars. Interestingly, players did not receive any cash prizes. Making the right combinations on the reels, they were treated for free at a bar they played at. For example, one could get beer, cigarettes, a strong drink, or a snack for making a combo. This is not a thing when you play Dead or Alive 2 slot for free and can count on a cash prize.
Stage 2 – Liberty Bell
It is a car mechanic Charles Fey who is considered the father of the first slot machine. It was he who created the famous Liberty Bell. The exact date when this gaming emulator was born is unknown, but it approximately happened in the period between 1887 and 1895. The mechanic simplified the gameplay complexity and made the first machine that could automatically issue a payout to the player. The slot consisted of three reels with icons of card suits and the image of a bell. The reels rotated independently of each other at different speeds, varying the combinations of symbols on the screen.
Stage 3 – Fruit Machines
In 1902, slot machines were prohibited because the winnings that players received were not taxed. Despite this, the gaming emulators have not disappeared. They were upgraded and transformed. Instead of the usual suit icons and bells, the new slot machines began to feature symbols of fruits and the “BAR” inscriptions. Another change was that for successful combinations, players received not cash but chewing gum and sweets. That is why they are called fruit machines.
Stage 4 – Money Honey
For a long time, all gaming machines were mechanical. But the situation changed in 1964. At that time, Bally released the first electromechanical machine, whose reels were powered by electricity, and it had nothing to do with manual manipulations. You could also win a lot more money from the gaming machine – a player could receive up to 500 coins. It is no wonder that the machine was called Money Honey.
Stage 5 – Video Slots
The first video slot was created by the Fortune Coin Company in far 1976. The manufacturer has added a Sony color TV to the electromechanical game machine. For its full-fledged work, software was needed. Since then, slot machine developers have been able to let their imaginations run wild and experiment with the number and types of reels, icons, and paylines. This is actually how online slots have appeared.
