From a Cash Register to Ultrathin Terminals: The History of Slots

There are a few main images that people associate casinos with. Slots are the most striki ng manifestation here. All contemporary gambling venues have different types of this entertainment. Land-based facilities use hi-tech machines, each containing hundreds of different playing possibilities. Gaming sites utilise innovative software and have even more titles available on platforms.

While being just around 150 years old, slots have had quite a saturated development path. Today, the most common way for entrepreneurs to obtain them is to order systems like Gaminator 3 from a world’s leading aggregator and ensure a wholesome integration by experts.

So, let us see how slots have ended up being the most technological gambling entertainment.

Chronological Sequence of Foundation

There were a few critical dates in the history of gaming machines. Initially, they were purely mechanical. Later on, with the substantial development of electronics, advanced manifestations began to appear. Stages of slots’ foundation:

• 1887 — first prototypes;
• 1891 — poker-based concept;
• 1894 — one-armed bandits;
• 1898 — Liberty Bell;
• 1912 — fruit machines;
• 1964 — experimental electronic slots;
• 1994 — beginning of the internet era.

The more advanced slots became the higher affordability levels were introduced to society. Consequently, the popularity of entertainment was increasing as their number went up. When slots began to appear in gambling halls in the 20th century, their whopping success was just a matter of time.

The Very First Machines

The history of slots’ creation began around the end of the 19th century. The first prototype was created in Britain in 1887. The technology used poker cards as images for reels and the entire machine looked like an old-school cash register.

A few years later, in 1891, the company Sittman and Pitt produced a special poker device with 5 drums and the same recognised symbols. The equipment quickly became particularly popular among bar visitors and participants of entertainment venues. First slots did not allow winning real money. Alternatively, the main prizes were cigarettes and drinks.

Recognised Prototypes and Liberty Bell

Charles Fey can be called the father of the first functional slot. The prototype was elaborated in 1894 by a simple auto mechanic. Besides traditional drums that were already featured in previous models, Charles also added a lever to launch the process. Poker cards were still used as symbols. Due to the low return to player rate and a hand only on one side of the machine, such slots were called one-armed bandits.

Charles Fey soon improved his design. Thanks to the prototype that became the basis for the foundation of subsequent models, in 1889, Liberty Bell was created. Its distinguishing feature was the automatic pay-out option. It was one of the first slots to use not simple cards as symbols but their suits and golden bells. It was possible to win up to 10 nickels.

The popularity of Liberty Bell rose exponentially. Since its mass production, a lot of similar machines appeared on the market by other developers. This was the time everybody understood slots’ profit based on high demand.

Fruit Machines

While the initial aim of creating similar devices was earning, allowing punters to gain their advantage was also strategically important. People enjoyed participating in similar entertainment but were not satisfied with the percentage of winnings.

Manufacturers realised this issue, and in 1912, the first fruit machines were released. Initially, their RTP was quite big. However, gambling for money was soon prohibited, and the main winnings became chewing gums, lollipops, and chocolates.

Later, the ban on casino activities was gradually lifted. A new era of mechanical slots began. It was the middle of the 20th century (1964) when the Money Honey device hit gambling venues. It was much faster, had higher versatility, and, thanks to mass production of components, easier to obtain.

Modern Hardware and Programming Assets

Huge and colourful terminals that occupy the majority of space in contemporary casinos appeared in the mid-80s of the 20th century. In 1994, a world-renowned manufacturer Microgaming showed its first advanced software.

Though not very popular instantly (due to limited internet coverage), gaming sites began to pop up on the web. Developers quickly understood all potential of the industry and turned iGaming into a profitable sphere. Innovative software was updated at a speed of light, with new gaming possibilities appearing daily. Most renowned suppliers of gambling entertainment in the modern market:

• Amatic.
• Microgaming.
• Playtech.
• Greentube.
• Novomatic
• Endorphina.
• Euro Games Technology.
• NetEnt.
• Igrosoft.
• Play’n Go.

While they all supply online casinos with top-quality slot-based content, some of them also manufacture products for ground halls (both software and equipment). Modern programming possibilities created a limitless environment for developers that can implement any theme in an absorbing slot.

Integrating Innovative Software on Gaming Sites

Considering the variety of providers on the market, during the creation of a gambling portal, an operator can face a challenge in picking the right partner. In this case, it will be wise to resort to a progressive aggregator of services.

Gaminator is a long-standing service provider. The company cooperates with the majority of leading suppliers of gambling software, including virtual slot machines. Ensuring matching integration of content according to the demands of the target audience is the main task of the organisation. For further details on collaboration, get in touch with the firm’s managers via official contacts.