Slot games, in their simplest form, have been around since the late 19th century. From there, these games have continued to develop, keeping up with latest advancements in technology. Now, not only can you enjoy classic slot games in pubs, bars but also on many online casinos, with slot games truly takingthe world by storm.

With so many different mechanics offering hundreds of thousands of ways to win, bonus games, free spins, special symbols, themed games, and so much more – the world of Slots truly does continue to spin into further futuristic gameplay.

Why not continue on and read more about this staggering phenomenon, as we go back to basics to figure out just what makes slot games so great, and where the exciting reels we know and love today really came from.

The first slot machines

The very first game to resemble a slot machine spun onto the scene in 1891. This machine had five drums with 50 playing cards, cost a nickel to play, and the aim was for players to create Poker hands across the reels. Prizes would be handed out at the bar of the pub the machine was found in, and would be in the form of free drinks or cigars.

After this, Charles Fey invented The Liberty Bell, between 1887 and 1895. This machine was the first to allow automated payouts, and is often accredited as the very first slot machine. The game could allow automated payouts, as Fey replaced the five drums with three reels, and symbols represented by hearts, diamonds, spades, horseshoes and a liberty bell. The latter paid out the highest amount. The machine gained huge popularity, but Fey didn’t apply for a patent for this design, so other slot machine manufacturers copied the popular machine.

The inner workings

Slot machines have dramatically evolved over the years. The very first Poker and slot machines worked using a lever, which would stretch a spring, that would cause the reels to spin, eventually stopping to reveal a combination of symbols across the reels. This was the same for The Liberty Bell, and when video Slots took to the scene, Random Number Generators (RNGs) were introduced. An RNG is a piece of computer software that works to create undecipherable patterns that appear random, keeping the inner workings of video and online slot games fair and fun.

Fruit machines

We can’t go back to slot machine basics without talking about the beloved fruit machines. The era of the fruit machine inspired many of the classic symbols we know and love today, such as cherries, bells, the BAR symbol, and the lucky sevens. Many of the reels on these machines were also spun by a lever and spring mechanism. Fruit machines became so popular because it was just a fun way to bag yourself some sweet treats. The familiar symbols stayed on the reels for many years, even when the machines were legalised again and automatic payouts could return.

The future

In 1996, the first online casino was launched, and slot games quickly came on board. In the modern day, Slots are a huge part of the online casino, and new mechanics, bonus rounds and even more immersive animations take the gameplay to another level.

You can enjoy retro Slots and fruit machines online, with the huge variety that’s available, as well as new games constantly being developed. Sometimes it’s nice to take a trip down memory lane and go back to basics, to remember where we came from.

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Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly.
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