Slot machines have endured quite a lot of changes over the past century. They’ve gone from staples of pubs and bars, to casino classics, to must-haves at online gambling websites. Certainly, most gamblers are quite aware about the current state of the slot machine. However, what many might not know is how we got to where we are now. In this article, we are going to go over the fascinating history of the slot machine.
Where Does the Name Come from?
The first thing we’d like to look at is the etymology of the phrase “slot machine.” It is a pretty simple term to guess, with the machine part being self-explanatory. The “slot” part of the word comes from the little slots on the machine, meant for players to insert coins in. Certainly, most could have already guessed that much. However, there is a more interesting term for slot machines that might stump some.
“Fruit machines” is a common alternative name for slots. Those who don’t know about the history of slots, may wonder why that is. The reason is that a couple of decades after their initial release, slot machines became illegal. In order to subvert these laws, business owners would replace the cash prizes with gum prizes, in which fruits would represent the flavors. The name just stuck after that.
The Earliest Slot Machine
Today, we have online casinos with slots galore. Indeed, we can’t get enough of online slot games in 2024. Whether you are a player from the Great White North visiting Daily Spins Casino in Canada, or you are a European gambler wanting to check some local websites, your possibilities are endless. However, it was not always so. Let us take a look at the earliest iteration of the slot machine, and see how far things have come.
The history of the slot machine itself is rather murky. According to most historians, Charles Fey is responsible for the creation of the slot machine in the 1890s. However, many have made the argument that Sittman and Pitt’s gambling machine could be an earlier precursor to the machines we all know and love today.
Based on poker, the gambling machine held 50 faces and five drums. The players would have to insert a nickel and pull a lever in order to get a result. That certainly sounds like a precursor to video poker and the slot machine we all love today. However, the problem with the original machine was the large number of outcomes, which made it borderline impossible to win.
Charles Fey fixed that problem. His original slot machine, the Liberty Bell, could be pinpointed as the origin point for the history of slot machines. The game contained three reels and five symbols. One of these was the Liberty Bell, which gave the machine its name. The Liberty Bell was an instant hit, and pretty soon bars and cigar stores had the machine around the country. But, the dream was not meant to last.
The Rise of Fruit Machines
Today, many refer to slots as “fruit machines.” Indeed, certain fruit symbols are iconic and tied to these machines. But, why is that? Well, it all has to do with legislation. The popularization of slot machines made it so the government would pass certain laws to prohibit businesses from operating gambling machines without a license. These rulings have almost certainly led to the legislations on online gambling today, which make iGaming a much safer industry.
However, at the time, it had the effect of preventing bars and cigar shops from operating slot games. To circumvent this ban, these businesses replaced the cash rewards for bubble gum flavors. Players could spin slots and win gum instead of cash. The fruits on display represented the flavor of gum, and these symbols have stuck to this day.
The Digital Age
Over the course of the 20th century, technology saw a rapid boost. We went from the industrial era to the digital era faster than many could have imagined. By the late 20th century, the internet had already become a mainstream phenomenon, and of course, that led to the evolution of entertainment. Video game consoles began coming out, and online video games were a thing.
Most gamers today are well-aware of the online multiplayer boom. Some are still discovering hidden gems in their favorite games, like Counter-Strike or Defenders of the Ancients 2. Of course, the gambling industry has done its best to stay ahead of the curve. So, it isn’t surprising to learn that in the mid-1990s, a new kind of slot hit the scenes.
Online slots are all the rage nowadays. It is actually possible to play many of the best games while chilling on your couch in your robe or pajamas. There is no pesky dress code, no need to drive or spend money on a gas tank, and no need to look for an empty seat in a sea of people. All you have to do is create an account and play your favorite slot game.
Digital slots, or online slots, may have started as simple online versions of the game in the 90s. However, they’ve changed quite drastically since. Operators have managed to add visual and audio effects, and even narrative themes that make the games just a tad bit more immersive. Some have even experimented with mini-games that improve the gameplay as well.
The Future of the Slot
For over a century, slots have endured as some of the most popular gambling games in the world. We don’t see a future where these games don’t continue to thrive. However, what could tomorrow hold for slot games? Technology is developing at a rapid pace, which makes it really hard to discuss what could happen next.
One common prediction is that we may see a future where slots are played in virtual reality. A lot of advancements have been done in that field, and VR is certainly a concept that most of us seem fascinated with. Not only that, but a digitally-linked, virtual world, may be just what online casinos need to recreate the atmosphere of a classic gambling establishment.
