How Modern Slot Machines Evolved

Slots games are hands down the most popular of the casino games available.

Of course, blackjack, roulette, craps and poker are also very popular but nothing comes close to slots. For those who are playing at land based casinos, the noise of the slots, clinking of money, spinning of reels is particularly enticing.

For online slots players, the same type of atmosphere can be recreated but in the comfort of your own home. But whether playing online or brick and mortar casino slots, there have been some incredible advancements in the games over the years.

These fun machines have evolved quite a bit from when they were first invented.

A brief history of slots

While there is some debate over when slots were invented, who invented them is undisputed. Charles Fey from California invented it in either 1885 or 1897 depending on your particular stance on the debate.

Popularity for the machine grew and its design was copied by many over the course of the next several decades. In the early 1960’s the first electromechanical slot emerged bringing with it a new popularity and ease in implementing it into casinos.

In 1996 the first of many video slots to offer second screen bonuses was introduced setting the stage for even greater advancements.

The classic slot machines

Classic slots are considered those with three reels and one pay line. Truly classic would mean a mechanical slot with an arm that had to be pulled to spin the reels. However, those are virtually nonexistent these days.

The term classic slots, though, has expanded to mean both online and offline slots including video slots that only have a single pay line and three reels.

It may, however, include bonuses and free spins and typically allows you to wager anywhere from one to three coins.

More reels, more pay lines, more fun

As technology advanced the 5 reel video slot was introduced. With five reels typically come multiple pay lines as well.

The way it usually works is that you wager one coin per pay line so if you have a max bet, all pay lines are highlighted and if you have a winning combination across any of them you win the jackpot.

This also lends itself to personalizing the slots experience so someone can play one coin and one pay line or multiple pay lines to get a more high roller experience.

Latest Blog Posts

Slot Machine Terminology

Online vs Land-based Slots

Video slots and interactive slots

Today the only limit to what a slot machine can do is based on the imagination of the designer. You can bet your winnings on bonus rounds and enjoy second screen bonus games for additional jackpots.

If you get a particular combination on the reels a bonus game is triggered which can be just about anything from a guessing game to a skill game that is designed to give you the opportunity to increase your winnings.

There are even interactive slots available where a story is told throughout the game. You control how the story unfolds by your spins so you never play the same game twice or get the same story twice.

Slots have come a long way since they were invented over a century ago. Now there are multiple options and incredible graphics and sounds whether online or in a land based casino. Only time will tell where slots will take us next.

More Slots

IGT Slots