We know slots today as action-packed cash games you can play online – and we love them for it. But where did these jackpot-ringing gems come from?
The history of slot machines is a fascinating journey, from early gambling machines in San Francisco to the video slots we know today. While modern slots are identified by their elaborate features and graphics, early slots were defined by the kerplunk of coins in simple coin-operated gambling machines, some with rather creative prizes.
These inventions were simple, but they paved the way for many slot machine manufacturers to grab them by the horns and innovate.
And boy, oh boy, are we happy they did. It all began in…
1891 – Sittman and Pitt
In 1891, when horse-drawn carriages rattled down dusty streets and women floated by in elegant bustled skirts, Sittman and Pitt were revolutionizing entertainment in New York with one of the first slot machines.
Their slot was the first draw poker machine with five drums and coin slots. You would sidle up to a saloon counter, pull a lever, and it would create a poker hand. These slot machines didn’t produce cash payouts; winners scored free drinks and cigars instead.
1894 – The Liberty Bell
A few short years later, in 1894, car mechanic Charles Fey made his indelible mark with the Liberty Bell, the first slot machine to feature three spinning reels.
Charles Fey’s Liberty Bell was built on his earlier invention, the Card Bell. It had simple reel combinations and introduced symbols like card suits, diamonds, hearts, and horseshoes.
People loved the Liberty Bell because it offered an automatic payout for winning combinations, like three bells lined up, which was a nod to the cracked Liberty Bell itself. That awarded the biggest prize of 50 cents – quite the haul back then.
The original Liberty Bell one-armed bandit was played in San Francisco, but you can see it on display now at the Liberty Belle Saloon in Reno, Nevada!
1902-1908 – Operator Bell
The Liberty Bell was a ringing success, and competitors built machines to rival it.
The Operator Bell, produced by Herbert Mills of Mills Novelty Company between 1902 and 1908, refined early machines. Mills partnered with the Bell Fruit Gum Company, creating a simple fruit machine whose design cemented the use of fruit symbols that we still see today.
Around this time, many slot machines paid with chewing gum as a clever way to sidestep the gambling laws of the time. The Operator Bell was one of the first to have automatic payouts, which was huge since most machines were manual. This slot machine was a staple in bowling alleys, shops, and more.
1964 – Money Honey
In 1964, while the Apollo program was launching and the Beatles were taking their first U.S. tour, Bally Manufacturing Co. launched the famous Money Honey slot machine in the same year.
Unlike the classic one-armed bandit slot games, this modern slot machine operated with an electric motor, although it still kept the iconic lever for old time’s sake.
This slot machine introduced the revolutionary bottomless hopper. With it, the machine could pay out up to 500 coins automatically, which was a game-changer for slot games, even leading to future innovations like the progressive jackpot.
1976 – Fortune Coin
After Bally’s famous gambling machine, innovations for modern slot machines took off. In 1976, the Fortune Coin Company introduced the first video slot at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, replacing physical reels with a video display.
After a few modifications, the Nevada State Gaming Commission gave the go-ahead to the slot machine. This historical game set the stage for modern slot gameplay with RNG technology, bonus rounds, and larger cash prizes. You could find it everywhere on the Las Vegas Strip.
1986 – Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpot slots are the beating heart of most casinos online today, and they started in 1986 with International Game Technology (IGT). The first was a slot machine called Megabucks, which linked multiple machines to create a growing prize pool.
It was opposed initially because of its complexity, but the concept gained traction as players flocked to chase massive cash prizes. The first-ever progressive prize was for a staggering $4,988,842.17 – a real marvel for any era!
1996 – Video Slots and Bonus Rounds
In 1996, a decade after the first progressive jackpot, WMS Industries transformed slot games when they released “Reel ‘Em In,” the first video slot to feature a bonus round on a second screen.
Unlike a three-reel slot machine or a classic fruit machine, this slot machine was interactive. This marked a turning point in the evolution of gambling devices, moving beyond simple reels to immersive, feature-rich experiences.
Advent of Online Casinos
The late 1990s marked a new era in the history of slot machines with the rise of online casinos. These platforms brought slot games into the digital age, so you could spin the reels anytime, anywhere.
These modern slot machines featured immersive designs and real-money play. Such machines revolutionized gambling and expanded the reach and appeal of slots far beyond physical casinos.
Another standout innovation around this time was the introduction of bonuses. Today, earning cash rewards is as easy as inviting friends to join the fun. At Cafe Casino, we make it simple – share your unique sign-up link, and you’ll score a cash referral bonus when your friends hop on board.
2005 – Mobile Slots
If your first cell phone in the early 2000s was an early Nokia, chances are, you didn’t have access to online slots. However, 2005 was the year when mobile slots officially started gaining traction. These new slots merged online gaming machines with video slot technology for mobile devices. Players could now get the Las Vegas gambling experience anywhere.
2016 – Megaways
As the world was getting comfortable with mobile slots, Big Time Gaming was already fine-turning on the next innovation. They introduced the Megaways for video slots. This slot game featured exciting themes and dynamic reel combinations by changing the number of symbols per spin to create thousands of ways to win.
2022 – Hot Drop Jackpots
Just a few years ago, a brand new innovation in slots took the internet by storm, called Hot Drop Jackpots. These jackpots blend the excitement of progressives with the urgency of a countdown, and the jackpot must drop by that time.
Cafe Casino is big on Hot Drop Jackpots, and they’re available to play right now.
Future of Slots
Now, in the present day, with online slots bursting with jackpots and capabilities that would make the folks of the 1800s furiously fan themselves in shock, the question is, what happens next?
The future of slots promises even greater innovation. Features like progressive jackpots and interactive bonus games remain staples, but new trends in online gambling machines are emerging, like the ability to pay with crypto.
With advancements in VR and AR on the horizon, your slot game experience might reach total immersion, making our flat phones and laptops appear primitive.
Pay with Crypto
The future is bright with crypto and online slots. When you play slot machines online at a crypto casino, the benefits are hard to beat.
Depositing with crypto cuts out the middleman, eliminating bank fees and long wait times. You no longer need the approval of your bank to clear your funds – they’re cleared on the blockchain.
Withdrawals are just as seamless, and payouts can hit your wallet within minutes. Crypto payments are one of the most game-changing innovations in slot machines to date.
The history of slot machines is a testament to innovation and entertainment evolving hand-in-hand. From the first coin-operated gambling machine to today’s modern slot machines packed with bonus games, immersive designs, and even the ability to pay with crypto, slot games are always pushing the boundaries of real-cash fun.
