The History of Online Slot Games

by Kate Winslet Im a blogger by passion

Gambling Slot Machine - Free photo on Pixabay

Card rules poker is a popular game amongst players of many ages. This game requires the player to use strategy, luck and knowledge in order to win. Knowing the card rules for poker is essential for anyone who wants to become a proficient player. In this game, each player is dealt two cards face down at the beginning of the hand. A round of betting takes place with each player deciding whether they wish to fold or raise their wager based on their hand strength. After all players have placed their bets, three community cards (the flop) are dealt face up in the center of the table followed by another round of betting. After that, two more community cards (the turn and river) are dealt face up with another round of betting taking place before the showdown where players reveal their hands and declare who has won the pot.

Slots are some of the most popular and widely played casino games today. They come in different names- video slots, fruit machines for British players, and even pokies for enthusiasts from Australia and New Zealand. Regardless of the name, it remains an exciting option in most casinos thanks to its use of immersive themes and graphics and the promise of lucrative payouts. There are slot machines like Mega Moolah and Divine Fortune that offer progressive jackpots that can reach up to more than $10 million! These popular casino games are here to stay, and they continue to improve on theme, design, and gameplay. But have you ever wondered how and when did the game start?

The classic gambling machine of 1891

According to many sources, the first mechanical slot machine was the Liberty Bell invented by Charles Fey in 1895. Fey was probably inspired by an earlier gambling machine used in 1891. It featured five drums with 50 card faces and works using poker rules.

In this game, players insert a nickel then pull the lever to start. The machine then spins the drums and the cards with a chance to build a good poker hand. With this machine, players don't get a direct payout or cash. Instead, collecting a pair may mean getting free beer. Or scoring royal flush rewards the player with cigars or more beers! The payouts depend on the marketing plan of the establishment. Also, the game features a vast number of winning potentials, so it was difficult for players to score a win.

Here Comes Charles Fey and the Liberty Bell

Between 1887 to 1985, Charles Fey of San Francisco introduced a simpler and more lucrative version of a gambling machine. This new machine featured three spinning reels. The reels have painted symbols of diamonds, spades, heart symbols, and the image of the cracked Liberty Bell. You can say that these are the first-ever paying symbols of a slot machine and the inspiration, too, for our modern online slots. A winning spin with three Liberty Bells in a row offers the best payout worth ten nickels. This original machine is still existing, and players can find this at the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant in Nevada.

Aside from this machine, Fey is also credited for designing other gambling machines like the Three Spindle, Draw Power, and the Klondike. He also introduced the first draw poker machine in 1901. The slot machine of Fey became popular and was used in many pubs and restaurants. His design led to the development of the slot machine industry, with Herbert Mills as one of the early manufacturers.

Growth and popularity of slot machines

Fey and Mills of Liberty Bell paved the way for the explosion in the popularity of these gambling machines. It was followed by the designs and innovations made by independent games and software companies. For example, in 1963, Bally introduced the first electromechanics slot machine called the Money Honey. It features a bottomless hopper and offers a payout of up to 500 coins without the help of an attendant.

In 1976, the first video slot machine was developed by the Fortune Coin Co. This machine uses a Sony Trinitron color receiver and mounts in a slot machine cabinet. It gained approval from the Nevada State Gaming Commission and became a popular offering in many Las Vegas casinos. Another worthy addition to the line-up was the Reel ‘Em In by WMS that features a second screen.

Modern online slots to play in top online casinos

Today, players can count on hundreds of online slots that are playable across devices thanks to the internet. The classic slot machines are still playable in physical casinos, but its future is in online slots. These are the computerized versions of the mechanical fruit machines, and they are available in more immersive themes, graphics, and visuals. These modern casino games are available in different reels and paylines configurations.

The market for online slots is now more expansive and diverse thanks to the designs and innovations from top game designers like Netent, Microgaming, Play'n GO, and Yggdrasil Gaming to name just a few. Thanks to the entry of more designers and the use of modern technologies such as HTML5, fast internet, and Random Number Generator (RNG) software, players can now browse hundreds if not thousands of modern online slots that promise better entertainment and solid math.

Choosing which games to play is not a problem. There are dozens of support sites that help cover this growing industry. For example, at casinoonline.com.ph, players can find reviews of the top online slots today that can help you decide which games to play. These websites don’t just review the available online slots to play, it also covers this fast-growing industry and reports on new releases and technology that continue to shape the classic slot machine.