The History of the Slot Machine
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Slot machines are one the most popular games ever invented. This age-old machine has adapted overtime, steadily progressing with the evolution of technology. So now, whether online or land-based, there are quite literally thousands of games to choose from.
Here we look back at the origins of the great slot machine and see how it has evolved over the years to the on-the-go slots gaming experience we know of today.
Early Inventions
Machine Development
With new technology came new gaming experiences. In 1964 Bally created the first electromechanical slot machine, titled ‘Money Honey’. The machine still featured the recognisable lever but the components inside were operated entirely electrically.
When 1976 hit, the slots business really took off. This was the year of the first true video slot machine, which featured a modified 19 inch Sony TV used as the display screen. It was first showcased in a hotel in Las Vegas, but after a few tweaks it was soon dominating the Las Vegas Strip.
Gaming in Britain
According to British law up until 1960, a machine had to involve an element of skill if it paid out a prize. Consequently early British machines were formerly games of skill (such as ball games, cranes, or shooting games), or non-payout types (such as fortune tellers, viewers, juke boxes, or pintables).
However, after the creation of one armed bandits and fruit machines in the US, they soon emerged on British shores where they quickly became popular in pubs and in the quintessentially British seaside arcades.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, slot machines reached new levels of success with the addition of video technology. Not constrained by physical mechanics or dimensions, video slots revolutionised the industry. These highly developed machines would feature bonus rounds and additional payouts, and used advanced graphics to fit an array of themes to attract new players. Video slots were responsible for around 70% of a casino’s income, and also took up 70% of the available floor space.
The New Era of Slot Machines
