The History of Slot Machines: From Mechanical Reels to Digital Spins
Casino slots have become the most popular type of casino games, generating a huge proportion of worldwide gambling revenue. People love slots because they are simple to play, offer a wide range of themes and features and they can be played even with a limited amount of time to spare.
The modern iGaming experience is worlds apart from the humble beginnings of slot machines but the essence of the experience is fundamentally the same. Despite the physical differences, the core appeal is still the same – players chase a reward by taking a certain element of risk, which in today’s iGaming is usually with real money.
The games available today revolve around the same psychology as the early slot machine models, the building up of anticipation and the seeking of dopamine hits that come with wins.
Let’s take a journey through the history of slot machines…
Mechanical Slot Machines – Around 1890
We have to go way back in time to start from the very first slot machine model that kicked off the slot machine story. The machine featured three reels with graphics including playing card symbols, with a lever to pull down to get the reels to spin. At this point in time, they were designed without a payout system, players would insert a nickel to play and any winnings would be collected from the bar that the machine was set up in.
The Liberty Bell – 1894
After seeing the success of the initial machines, inventors were inspired to further develop the initial design. The next machine to come into circulation was the Liberty Bell, created by Charles Fey. If the name Liberty Bell sounds familiar, it is because it is an iconic symbol of American independence and the symbols on the machine incorporated bells as well as horseshoes, hearts and other fun symbols. This version mostly gave out winnings as chewing gum rather than money.
Fruit Machines – Early to Mid 1900s
The popularity of slot machine designs spread further across the globe, with Europe in particular having a high demand for these fascinating forms of entertainment. Symbols now incorporated fruits like cherries, lemons and oranges, inspiring the name “fruit machines” that is still common terminology used today. The payouts consisted of gum or candies, due to gambling law restrictions that were still in place.
Electromechanical Slots – 1960s to 1970s
The earlier machines were all composed of mechanical parts but a major transformation took place in the 1960s using electromechanical technology. The design featured electric motors and this is the stage where machines became more engaging with sounds and lights providing sensory signals that helped to build anticipation and excitement.
Gambling laws were starting to change in different parts of the world and Las Vegas was developing into a popular destination for playing casino games, including slot machines. Winning candy and gum payouts was no longer the aim, players could now win enticing monetary payouts.
Video Slots – 1980s and 1990s
Digital technology went through a major revolutionary period in the 80s and 90s, and naturally, slot machines became more sophisticated with the new technology that had become available. Gone were the big physical reels and in came digital reels with engaging graphics and animations. This period saw huge progress in slot machine designs with outcomes controlled by software and multi-line betting was introduced, along with progressive jackpots to appeal to players that were searching for big wins.
Online Slots – Late 1990s to 2000s
With the internet becoming publicly accessible and websites getting developed, this opened the doors to bring slots and other casino games online. Security software was launched making it possible to provide secure online payments for playing casino games and casino platforms started to emerge in the late 1990s. Random Number Generators were invented in this time period, enabling software driven randomized outcomes.
The rate of development of online slots in the 2000s was rapid, with thousands of games becoming accessible, incorporating a wide range of themes and features. Depending on what market you are in, choosing a platform to play slots on that can be trusted with your money and bank details is vital. Tikal Casino is safe to play slots on, for example, amongst other peer brands in the space.
Mobile iGaming – 2010s
The next milestone in the journey was driven by the improvements made in mobile technology and faster broadband speeds. The availability of accessing online casinos by mobile significantly boosted casino game playing, with touchscreen technology and the convenience of being able to play casino games from anywhere. Mobile friendly web and app design continued to improve through the 2010s and 2020s, bringing us to the high-quality mobile casino experiences that are easily accessible today.
Now we are seeing further innovations in the online casino space, with VR-enabled tech and exciting animations that enhance immersivity and new games are being added to the options on a regular basis.