Before you begin to repair yourself do note that every slot machine that you have purchased whether old or new comes with installation and user guide manual. You need to read that many a times until you are familiar with each components and parts of the slot machine and understand thoroughly as how the slot machine works.
Slot games have been around ever since we can remember. Whether we saw these flashy machines in movies and cartoons or at famous gambling locations like Las Vegas or Monaco, we all know what they are and how they work. Slot machines are the easiest way to earn some extra cash or have a good time without spending a lot of money. As technology advanced and video slots and online casinos became more popular, there’s been a division in the gambling world between classic slot games and modern slots games. While the mechanism behind the games is relatively the same, a lot of other features changed or went through major updates. Keep on reading to find out what makes classic slots so different from their younger sibling, the video slots.
Classic Slots History
Slots have been around longer than we can imagine since 1891 more precisely. An American company in New York invented the machine that had five drums and 50 playing cards. You could find the machine in most bars, and play the game for one nickel. We’re talking about events that happened more than 100 years ago, so we shouldn’t expect advanced mechanisms. This classic slot game couldn’t payout directly, so if you would win a hand, you had to claim your prize at the bar, which was usually a free drink or a complimentary cigar.
Around four years later, Charles Augustus Fey, the official classic slot game inventor, released the first automatic payout classic slot machine. He changed the mechanism and also the appearance of the first slot machine. Fey’s slot machine had three reels instead of five drums and new icons. He kept only the symbols from the playing cards, so the new slot machine had five elements, and it was called Liberty Bell. The game gained popularity overnight, and because its inventor didn’t patent the slot machine, a lot of replicas spread across the country.
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- Slot machines have become most casinos’ bread and butter. But they weren’t always. Just a couple of decades ago, these games were targeted at women and the elderly. Casino managers didn’t take these games or the people who played them seriously. Most of their money came from high rollers at the blackjack and craps tables.
The First Fruit Slot Machine
Fruit slots are still popular, and every gambler out there knows this type of slot game. You might think that they are the result of a developing industry, but there’s a more compelling reason behind it. After Fey’s success, the slot machine craze took over America, and the government officials didn’t find it very well. In 1902, the U.S. law bans slot games and real money payouts. Retailers found a smart way to overcome the regulations and introduced the now-famous fruit machine classic slots. These slot games used fruits as symbols and were giving out prizes like chewing gum and candy of the same flavor as the fruits.
How Classic Slots Work
If you ever heard the expression “one arm bandit” you should know it refers to classic type of slot machines. It all started from the lever used to make the reels spin. Each slot terminal had three metal reels inside. The reels had ten symbols each, and the lever pull activated them. If you got three of the same symbol lined up, you would win a prize consisting of coins.
There weren’t any significant changes until 1964 when they released the first electromechanical slot machine. These classic slot games were still lever-activated, but they paid out more. Twelve years later, the first video slot is displayed in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, becoming a pillar for the slots industry. In the following years, video slots gained popularity, and the slots developers made a name for themselves. Soon after, slots took up 70% of casino space and brought more than 70% of the total gambling income.
Transition to Modern Slots
Ever since their first release, video slots casino games kept their popularity and developers gained more perspective, creating better slot games. In the beginning, most online casino software companies focused on the way the games look, investing more in sound and graphics. As the years passed, slot games had more and more useful features and exciting themes. Online Casino Software developers created slot games inspired by famous movies or cartoons like The Simpsons.
However, the real transition from classic slots to modern slots happened when the first online casino emerged on the market in 1996. This was the beginning of significant milestones in the gambling world. These historical gambling events lead this industry to a 90$ million-dollar income every year. The release of the multi-gaming options, progressive slots, and more recent features like cryptocurrency and virtual reality, bring new customers every hour. These features and the incredible jackpots can sure make history and let us oversee a great future for the gambling industry.
Can You Still Find Classic Slots?
Even though slot games face significant updates every year, their theme stays the same. If you enjoy classic slot games, there’s no need to worry about their availability. You can find them in every land-based casino or internet cafe and also online. If you’re looking for a gaming experience closer to the original, then you should gamble at a real casino slot machine. If you prefer the comfort of your home, you can access any online gambling platform and browse through hundreds of slot games. The online experience may miss the lever. Though, it has plenty of other amazing features that can actually help you win faster. Online slots have the same themes as the originals. However, they may offer more bonuses like free spins or bonus rounds. If you choose a reliable online casino, you can play your favorite classic slots from your laptop, tablet, or phone.
Are Modern Slots Different than Classic Ones?
Modern slots hold more options and features compared to classic slots, but the gaming process remains the same. The reels start spinning by the pull of a lever or push of a button, while the RNG works. The random number generator is the one that decides every player’s faith. In the online versions, you get more bonuses and extra winning chances, while the jackpot is also bigger. Online gambling platforms also offer membership deals and specials more often than land-based casinos. You can browse through more games faster, win easier while enjoying the experience from the comfort of your home. Online casinos are also highly safe, so you shouldn’t worry about your money deposits and transfers. However, we do recommend consulting a specialty website while searching for the best online casino.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, classic type of slot games will never go away from casinos, whether offline or online. Classic slot games are a symbol of gambling history and famous gambling places like Las Vegas. Slot games bring considerable benefits to the industry as well, raking up millions of dollars every year.
If you ever asked yourself which is better between classic slots and modern slots, we’ll answer with “both.” Both kinds are highly entertaining. They are easy to follow and can double your money in the blink of an eye. Modern slots have more options and are more user-friendly, while classic slots take you back in time. If you’re looking for a real experience, you should visit the nearest casino. If you put your comfort first, and you are more in touch with technology, online casinos suit you more. Either way, slot games are a must if you ever want to gamble!
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Perhaps you’ve used slot machines before, but do you know about their history? If not, keep on reading! We’ll get you up to snuff and teach you some fun facts that will liven up any conversation about gambling.
The Invention of the First Slot Machine
A New-York based company, Sittmand and Pitt, developed the first slot-like machine in 1891. Keep in mind, this was not exactly a slot machine. In fact, it more closely resembled a poker machine. However, it inspired the development of actual slot machines in later years.
Sittmand and Pitt’s invention, which was commonly found in New York Bars, was a machine that contained five drums and fifty cards. Players would insert a nickel, push a button, and hope to receive a great poker hand. The machine didn’t offer a payout, but the player could use a good hand to get other rewards. For instance, they could take a pair of King up to the bartender and receive a free drink. For a lower hand, or perhaps the patron would receive a free cigar instead. These machines were fun but had a drawback: their owners would often remove the Jack of Hearts and the Ten of Spades in order to reduce the odds of winning.
Charles Fey created the first automatic slot machine, but the exact year is not known. Many gambling enthusiasts insist that the machine was developed in 1895, but there are some who believe Fey invented it in 1887. Regardless of the official year, Fey’s automatic slot machine was revolutionary.
Fey’s machine replaced the five-drum system with three reels, and their cards were replaced by symbols. The symbols were spades, diamonds, hearts, horseshoes, and the Liberty Bell. Getting three Liberty Bells in a row would give the player the largest payoff. Because of this symbol, the actual machine was named “Liberty Bell. You can actually still see it today in Reno, Nevada.
A few years later, Fey invented the Liberty Bell’s descendent, which was named “4-11-44”. This name referred to the game’s winning combination, which would win a player $5. Fey also went on to invent the “Card Bell” machine, which featured a new star symbol and had a maximum payout of twenty dimes.
For years, Fey dominated the slots industry, but this soon changed after a robbery occurred. The thief only stole an apron and a Liberty Bell slot machine. Not even one year later, the Mills Novelty Company developed its own version of the machine, called “Mills Liberty Bell.” The connection between the robbery and Mills Novelty Company has never been confirmed, but there is a hefty amount of speculation regarding the suspicious circumstance.
In the early 1900s, slot machines were banned in the US, but they were still continuing to be developed. However, instead of playing for cash prizes, users would now play for fruit-flavored gum! The game symbols changed from cards to fruit, such as cherries, bananas, plums, and lemons. This was also when the “BAR” symbol was introduced, which represented a pack of gum.
Even after slot machines became legal once more, fruit symbols still remained popular – and can still be found in many modern slot machines.
The First Electromechanical Slot
In 1964, Bally released the world’s first electromechanical slot, called “Money Honey.” This means that the machine’s reels operated electrically rather than manually. However, players still had to pull a lever to start the machine in order to foster a sense of familiarity.
Money Honey was also the first slot machine that used a bottomless hopper, which allowed an automatic payout of up to 500 coins.
The First Video Slot
Fortune Coin developed the first video slot machine in 1975. The machine, which was available in Las Vegas’ Hilton Hotel, featured a 19-inch Sony TV for its display. This video slot machine became extremely popular, and other developers soon followed in Fortune Coin’s footsteps and created their own versions.
Reel’Em In
In 1996, the Reel ‘Em In video slot machine was developed by WMS industries. It was a huge success, mainly due to its unique choice to have a second screen bonus round. Players loved this twist, and they especially enjoyed the chance to get extra wins during the bonus round. Many gambling history enthusiasts agree that Reel’Em In was what set off the video slot machine boom, which led to the machines taking up 70% of the average casino’s floor space.
Internet Slots
1996 also saw the rise of InterCasino, which was the world’s first online casino. InterCasino offered a variety of classic games but soon added online slots to their game library. And, just like with land-based casinos, slots soon became the most popular feature of online casinos.
When online slots were first introduced, they remained pretty similar to their land-based predecessor in terms of the number of reels and the variety of symbols. However, online casinos soon became more adventurous and released slot games that featured 5+ reels, engaging themes, fun bonus rounds, a huge variety of special symbols, and unique layouts.
Brief History of Slots Infographic
An infographic that shows a brief history of slot machines from the 19th century to the modern digital age.
Collecting Slot Machines
Some slot enthusiasts search for vintage mechanical slot machines to add to their personal collections. You can see such slot machines in casino basements, in a private collector’s residence, in a workshop being salvaged for parts, or at re-selling businesses.
Purchasing an antique slot machine can be quite an investment, with prices going into the thousands of dollars. If you want to purchase a mechanical slot machine and want to avoid the markup of resellers, you can find a wide range of such machines on Ebay.
Slot Machines by Country
In Australia, gaming machines are referred to as “pokies.” Australian states are all responsible for creating their own legislation regarding pokies. In Victoria, pokies must provide a minimum return percentage of 85%. On the other hand, Queensland determined that casino slot machines should have a return rate of 90%, but that pub slot machines could have an 85% return rate. Western Australia has the most restrictive policy out of all of Australia’s states. Its policy dictates that pokies may only be used in the Burswood Casino.
In Japan, slot machines are referred to as pachisuro and are found in pachinko parlors and game centers’ adult sections. Japanese slot machines are unique in that they can be “beatable.” These machines have six different levels, all with different odds of hitting a winning combo. The odds can range from 90% to 160%!
Slot machines in the United Kingdom are categorized based on their maximum wager and their maximum prize. For instance, Category D has a minimum stake of 10 pence to £1 and a maximum prize of £8 cash/£50 credit. A Category A game has an unlimited maximum stake and an unlimited maximum prize. There are currently no such slot machines in existence in the UK. A “Super Casino” was supposed to be developed in Manchester, and it would feature such machines. However, the casino’s development was eventually scrapped.
In the United States, slot machines are regulated by state governments. Some of the best destinations for playing slot machines include Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know some interesting facts about the history of slot machines, you can impress your gambling enthusiast friends. And if all this talk of slots has whetted your appetite to play, head on over to Bob Casino! We have a huge library of online slots, featuring popular developers such as Yggdrasil, BetSoft Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Play’Ngo, and NetEnt.
Each of our online slot games is jam-packed with fun features and use fun music and engaging graphics to enhance your gaming experience.