The slot machine is not a new or recently developed game, but it has seen centuries to reach us. The first-ever was built, invented in San Francisco, California, by Charles Fey, a Bavarian by birth. Therefore, it makes Fey the ‘Father of Slots” and his invented game is now the best amusement among the casino players – check out high rtp slots.
The first-ever slot machine was invented in 1887 by Fey, titled the Liberty Bell that had three reels, and at that time, it gave the biggest jackpot prize of five cents or ten nickels.
Twentieth Century Brought Invention
Starting from the year 1907, Industry Novelty Company got hold over developing slot machines known as ‘Bell Fruit Gum’ slots. Here, the three reels’ symbols included apple, cherry, melon, orange, and bar. However, instead of paying out cash prizes, these machines gave payouts in flavoured gums that saved the owners from prosecutions under anti-gambling local regulations.
From this point onwards, bar and cherry symbols become an inspiration for slot developers and are even used today. Interestingly, the bar icon was the logo of the company.
Boom in the Development of Slot Machines
By the year 1910, slot machines were widespread and could be found all over the world. Many European companies stepped up for the massive production of these spinning reels games, which reached as much as 30,000 at that time. The hot-spots to play these slot games included saloons, brothels, cigar stores, bowling parlours and barbershops. Also, there were modifications in their physical instalment that included:
· Wooden cabinets were replaced with the cast iron.
· Updated to check the fake coins.
· Modified technically for back-to-back jackpots.
Like around 1909, there were laws against gambling and delivering cash through these games to give non-cash prizes to the players.
Slot Machines Come-Back!
This time starting from Nevada in 1931, gambling was legalised, and it was because of the public appeal and interest in gaming even though the gaming industry faced political pressure against gambling. So, it all began at Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, where the first slots were installed.
Electromechanical Slot Machines
Money Honey was the first-ever electromechanical slot machine that Bally (a company that was known for developing pinball games) developed in 1963. It became the first-ever slot machine with a bottomless hopper, and it did not any attendant for payment as its automatic combinations could pay up to 500 coins.
Later in 1970, Bally decided to make more improvements and, therefore, added more reels and improved coin handling. It allowed betting with more coins of higher denominations, which led to paying higher jackpots for the users. After bringing innovation in the slots in 1975, it went public and did business on the New York Stock Exchange. So, this formally made Bally the first gaming company.
Afterwards, there has been the era of innovation in the slot industry that led to the online slots, but if we trace the history, then the 19th century is when the first slot machine was invented.
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