How Has the Technology of Slots Machines Changed Over the Years?

Like most machines, slots have evolved the past couple of years because of technological advancements. From simple machines intended for average Joes to modern devices with interactive elements, slots have left their mark in the online casino industry.

The History of Slot Machines

Dating back to the 19th century, the history of the slots starts with their invention. It all began when people from the United States looked to invent a fun game that people could play in bars, restaurants, and all kinds of venues.

Sittman & Pitt was one of the first companies that came up with the first slot machine. They presented a poker slot game with rotating barrels that had cards illustrated all over them. By removing cards from the barrels, the creators were able to construct the house edge, making it difficult for players to get the winning hand.

Next was the "Liberty Bell." In late 1899, Charles Fey designed a machine, similar to the slots we know today. He tailored his machine toward the public, using fewer illustrated cards. Fey's device was the first slot machine to hand out prizes for winning hands.

Slots In the '60s

After the Prohibition, when restaurants, bars, and all alcohol-selling venues closed, slot machines had to change to survive. During the Prohibition, the machines moved to underground "secret" bars and featured quiet, undetectable sound. At that time, people called them Silent Bells.

But, all of this changed in the '60s or also known the gold era for slot machines.

In the early '60s, there were significant technological advancements. Color TVs and computers are among these advances. During this technological revolution, nothing was untouched, including slots machines.

In 1964, Bally Technologies presented a game-changer. Slots looked like ones from the past, except instead of springs and pulleys, an electric motor got the reels rolling. Known as Money Honey, this machine features unique sound effects, more reels, and brighter symbols. In the casino world, these machines are the precursors that resemble the slots such as 918kiss that you may see today in Vegas.

A few years later, Bally continued exploring the slot industry and presented unique inventions of video machines and number generators. Without Bally Technologies, we wouldn't have the slots that online casinos offer today.

The Slot Technology Today

Since the '60s, slots have come a long way. The technology ended up being such that slot games could link to huge jackpots and great winnings.

Slots no longer have a simple design or boring features. Today, they feature video game-like graphics, high-quality sounds, and bonuses that take the game to a different level. Players can play the slots for hours and still have plenty of fun. The bright images and enjoyable music are attractive, and awards make spinning the reels entertaining with the hope of winning the famous jackpot.

Nowadays, we can see the popularity of slot games growing, and with more advancements in technology, we can't wait to see how slots evolve in the future.