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The History of slots is brought to life on the web thanks to an awesome range of nostalgic video slots – delivering a gaming experience that’s immensely satisfying and full of jackpot payouts for lucky gamers. Get yourself along to a cutting-edge casino such as Casino 888 and begin your own slot adventure – progressing from basic 3 reel slots, to the very latest hi-tech progressive jackpots – make your own slot history! Learn more...
Slot Machine History
With flashing reels, mega jackpots and the amazing themed gaming interfaces available to today’s lucky online casino gamers – it’s hard to imagine the first conception of the slot machine – but of course, like all great things its origins are historic and humble.
The NO1 slot machine heroes!
Back in 1891, Sittman and Pitt invented the first ever slot game concept, with 50 playing card symbols and 5 drums, complete with classic card hands. Winners would pick-up free drinks and cigars for a winning combo. However, it wasn’t until 1895 that Charles Fey invented the world’s first genuine slot machine.
After many re-designs the Mills Liberty Bell slot was launched – with all the trimmings such as cast iron holdings, progressing to decorative feet in later models! Forget about melons, 777 and BAR – this machine contained only the true classic reel combos, such as the king, queen and jack – spread across three reels holding 20 icons.
This classic Liberty Bell is the true ‘daddy’ of modern slot gaming – and the machine was quickly upgraded in 1910 to include an alluring gooseneck coin slot and for the first time – the iconic fruit icons were released!
From that point onwards the slot madness has been virtually non-stop, with lighter wooden machines soon making the heavy metal monsters collectors’ items... and in 1930 came the first slot revolution…
Slot machines had changed forever – with the introduction of double jackpots and the first themed games – such as the War Eagle and Roman Head – machines with striking beauty.
Humble beginnings for the world’s most popular casino game
Unsurprisingly, the new slot era heralded the breakthrough in gaming popularity, and the games hit famous gaming venues for the very first time – most notably they were installed by Bugsy Siegel in the Flamingo Hilton Casino in Las Vegas. Amazingly, slots were not really taken seriously by the Flamingo – they were merely there as a bit of fun for the ‘WAGS’ of rich casino players! Of course, once slots started taking as much cash as the tables – that soon changed!
By the late 19th century, slot machines in the USA were responsible for approximately 2/3 of all casino revenue – not bad for a humble game that wasn’t good enough for real gamers – it must be enough for Charles Fey to chuckle away in his place of rest!
Between 1930 and the year 2000 – the face of slots was revolutionised once again, with the machines becoming ever more powerful and intrinsically playable for all levels of gamers – even for those hardcore table gamers. From one payline and three basic reels, slot games can now deliver multiple paylines, interactive skill games, 5 reels and the features we have come to love – such as holds, nudges, free spins and win multipliers.
The web slot revolution
Ever since Charles Fey came up with the brilliant idea of a slot machine from humble roots and clanking metal machinery – the slot machine has been on an amazing journey, culminating in the feast of slots available on the web today. The journey onto the web was inevitable, and online slot gaming is probably the most realistic casino games option on the web – the technology has literally switched from one machine to another. Online slot machines deliver the ultimate slot experience – truly the pinnacle of the slot machine’s rise to fame.
