Slot games have become the favorite for people in on-land and online casinos. Players love the thrill that comes with playing slot games at Wizardslots. Slot games give you a fantastic gaming experience, and also you stand a chance of winning huge.
Though slot games are popular, most people don’t know where slot games come from. Do you want to know the history of online slots?
Here we will take you through the history of online slot games.
Origin of Slot Machines
The dawn of slot machines is seen in the late 19th century. The credit for the first slot machine goes to Sittman and Pitt. They developed a machine called the Poker gambling machine, which contained 50 playing cards and five drums.
For you to play, you had to insert a nickel and pull a lever. Players only won if they were able to match the poker hands. Unlike now, there was no direct payout. Players had to go to the bar to receive their prizes.
However, these winnings were not cash prizes; players would receive free drinks and cigars as their wins.
The Liberty Bell
Liberty bell was the first slot machine almost similar to modern slots. This machine was developed by Charles August Fey, a Bavarian-born American who was an investor. The machine invention is believed to have happened between 1887-1895.
Charles was a mechanic in San- Francisco, and he used his skills to develop a coin-operated machine that has evolved into the type of game we enjoy today. The first original slot machines only had 3-reels and a few symbols to match. They also featured automatic payouts.
Slot Machine Ban
In 1902, the United States banned the use of real money slots. These machines were not allowed to give cash prizes which almost led to the end of the games. This led to the rise of fruit machines.
These machines had five fruit symbols instead of the previous icons in the liberty bell. Players would place real money bets, but winnings were awarded as candy. The sweets’ flavor depended on the symbol that activated the win.
Herbert Mills propagated the popularity of the fruit machines in saloons, bowling alleys and shops. Finally, the ban on real money winnings was lifted in 1908. Though candy winnings have since been dropped, fruit machines remain a popular theme.
Electromechanical Slots
The birth of first electromechanical slot was in 1964. The machine was dubbed the Money Honey. Bally developed the machine. Though the game still required players to pull the lever, most of the game was electronic. The machine also featured an automatic payout of up to 500 coins as a jackpot prize.
Video Slots
In 1976 in California, fortune coin company introduced the first video slot. They used a 19-inch Sony TV as the display. Players would now enjoy a new electronic experience. They then spread all over Lad Vegas. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved the game after cheat-proofing was introduced.
Online Casinos
In the late 20th century, the internet started gaining traction. Microgaming was the first gaming company to offer online gaming services. In 1996 WMS released the first pokie with a second screen bonus, forming the foundation for free spins, gambling features, and picking rounds.
The history of slot machines dates to the 19th century. As technology changes, there will also be more changes in the gaming industry. This article explains the history of slot games to where they are now.
