Slots history: Everything about the iconic casino game

When people think about casino games, slots are one of the first things that come to mind. This is because slot games have become the epitome of gambling both in online and land-based casinos. It’s impossible to visit a casino without at least spending a few minutes trying your luck on a slot machine and seeing if you have a chance of winning the jackpot.

However, this popular game hasn’t always gained the popularity it deserves. Slot games were relatively unknown in the 19th century. Read on to more about slots history and how it changed the world of online casinos for the better.

How did slot games come to be?

It was in 1895 in San Francisco, USA when the very first mechanical slot game was created by a car mechanic named Charles August Fey. He was 33 years old at the time and just happened upon an idea for a game in his basement.

The first and original slot game created by Fey was quite heavy and had only a small viewing area where you could see the symbols. It had diamonds, spades, hearts, lucky horseshoes and a symbol of the broken liberty bell.

The idea of his game is to get three of the same symbols at the same time. The liberty bell symbol would give the highest payout of ten nickels if you managed to get all three at the same time. Thus, the first slot machine was named the Liberty Bell.

If you visit the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant in Nevada, United States, you can still see the original and very first slot game that Fey invented. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Las Vegas and adores playing slot games!

In Great Britain, slot games were called ‘fruit machines’ because the three-reel game would have fruit symbols on it. These were cherries, lemons, apples and more. The ‘One-armed bandit’ is another name for slot machines because of the iconic lever that you had to pull down for the reels to spin.

Las Vegas: The starting ground of slot machines

It wasn’t long before slot machines were mass-produced by people like Herbert Mills so that more people in America and around the world could try it too. And so, slot games began their ascent to the world of casinos and slowly spread to other parts of the world.

In 1976, the very first video slot game was created by Kearny Mesa in California. It was funded and supported by the Fortune Coin company based in Las Vegas. After release, a few units were sold and tested at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

When the game became a hit, more orders were created and modifications were made. That way, players can’t cheat or take advantage of the virtual machines. It soon spread to other establishments on the Las Vegas strip and the technology was eventually purchased by International Gaming Technology (IGT).

Since then, more gaming platforms saw how much the public loved slot machines and started to include them in their game library. Both physical and virtual slot games were created with different themes to make them unique.

Today, slot games are still very popular for avid-casino goers. The physical slot machines in land-based casinos are more flashy and high-tech than ever. Plus, there are thousands of different online slots you can play on platforms like Bitcasino.

The transition of slot games from land-based to online

Slot games transitioned from a physical contraption to online slots in the mid-90s along with the rise of the internet. It made the invention much more exciting and accessible to people all over the world.

When it comes to land-based casinos and slot games, you get to relive the classic thrill of spinning the reels. Some people adore the feeling of physically pulling down a lever and watching the reels spin right in front of them. It’s an iconic experience that most casino-goers enjoy doing.

On the other hand, online casino slots don’t have the benefit of physically seeing and playing with a slot machine. However, it offers special features, bonuses and more options for themes compared to the land-based slot machines.

The transition from land-based slot games to online slots was necessary and helpful for players. While it can be fun to visit a casino and experience spinning the reels, you can still do the same in an online slot game.

More people are looking for an easy and online means of playing their favourite slots. Between the two, online slot games are currently more popular. This is because they can be accessed from your phone, tablet or laptop anytime you want.

How do slot games work?

In its simplest form, the idea of winning a slot game is to spin the reels and get a certain combination of the same symbols.

Before playing, you need to familiarize yourself with paylines first. These are certain orders of symbols that will reward you with a corresponding payout if you manage to land them. The more payouts you complete, the bigger the rewards will be.

Each slot game has a different set of symbols. These are a combination of low-paying, mid-paying and high-paying symbols. In classic slots, some examples of low-paying symbols include fruits like lemons and apples. On the other hand, high-paying symbols include horseshoes, BAR symbols and the lucky number 7.

Most slot games also have a return-to-player percentage, also known as RTP. This is a simple percentage that shows the probability of players winning the game over time. So, be sure to check out the RTP of a game before playing. The higher the value, the better your chances are of winning.

What makes slot games unique?

One of the things that makes slot games special are the bonus features and mini-games. These are some of the newer developments that were made for slot games in the 21st century, especially the ones in online casinos.

Instead of simply spinning the reels and landing the same symbols, you can also trigger bonus games, win free spins and use certain features to your advantage. These can come in the form of multiplier bonuses, sticky wilds and so much more.

In modern-day slot games found in land-based and online casinos, you can choose a game theme depending on your mood.

Maybe you want to take a thrilling adventure to Olympus and meet gods and goddesses in a Greek mythology-themed slot game. On the other hand, you can also visit the quaint countryside in Ireland and come across adorable animals, leprechauns and pots of gold as you spin the reels.

The possibilities of slot games are endless. No matter what you’re in the mood for, there should be a slot game suited to your needs!

This is the case when you place your bets at Bitcasino and choose from the wide roster of games. All you have to do is log in to your account, place your bets and all of the slot games will be at your disposal.

Why do people love slot games so much?

Learning about slots history puts into perspective just how much people like playing the game. To understand the slot games hype, check out some of the reasons why people love placing their bets in online slot games:

There are lots of special bonuses

When you play slot games on an online platform like Bitcasino, you can access lots of different themes and bonuses. If you compare it to other casino games like roulette or blackjack, you can’t have that many extra games or multiplier bonuses.

The best part about it is that each game offers different features. Even though the idea is similar, payouts and bonuses can vary. You can choose depending on your budget and preferences before placing your bets.

The visuals are amazing

If you visit an online platform like Bitcasino for the first time, you might be surprised by the variety of games available. Each slot game has something unique to offer, and the visuals, in particular, are amazing. Some of the games even have theatrical intros and lifelike animation that is sure to leave you in awe.

Classic slots in land-based casinos are no exception to this. In fact, there’s something special about walking up to a machine, pulling the lever and watching the reels move down before your very eyes. It’s a classic experience that most casino-goers like to have, no matter what the slot theme or payout is.

Special features and mini-games are available

One of the things that set online slot games apart from the physical ones is the extra features and mini-games. Since everything is virtual, players can also unlock free spins, special themed features, bonus games, and so much more. It’s a welcome change if you’re getting bored of simply spinning the reels and looking at the symbols.

Since the technological age is so advanced, it only makes sense that slot providers like Play’n GO, Yggdrasil, Nolimit City, Betsoft and so much more are bringing their A-game when it comes to slots. You can be sure that every game you try has something unique to offer.

Slots are not as high-stakes as other casino games

Another reason why people love playing slot games is that you don’t need to deposit a lot of money to play. Your bets can even go below a dollar and you can still spin the reels for hours on end. Playing for cheap and trying some of the best slot games online has never been more accessible, and you can do it all through the Bitcasino platform!

Playing the game isn’t as high-stakes compared to other casino games either. There’s no need to break a sweat like you normally do when playing games like poker or baccarat. You simply need to sit back, relax and enjoy the best gaming experience from online slots.

Players get a chance to win massive rewards

Just because slot games are easy to understand, doesn’t mean you can’t win massive prizes! Another reason why people love slot games is that some of them have massive bonuses and multipliers by up to six figures! The jackpots can reward you with millions if you’re lucky enough to land certain symbols.

The special features and bonus games play a big role as well. You can rely on the standard payouts but the bonus games and features can potentially triple or quadruple your winnings. If you manage to land the right combinations and trigger bonus features, then you’re on your way to bringing home massive wins.

For those who are new to the online casino slots scene, fear not because Bitcasino is an excellent way to start! It’s so easy to make an account and just scroll through the hundreds of slot games available on the platform. Live dealers, game shows, sports betting and casual games are available as well.

Use your slots history knowledge at Bitcasino!

Now that you know more about slots history and how the game works, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! What better way to celebrate the iconic status of slot games than placing your bets in one right now?

On the Bitcasino platform, you can come across hundreds of slot games available to play for fun or with real money. They have some amazing themes and features made by some of the best game developers around the world. You can go on adventures to unknown places or meet some adorable characters from the comfort of your own home.

If you want to experience the thrill of playing slot games, place your bets in Bitcasino today. Massive bonuses and prizes await, plus the added benefit of enjoying tons of different themes. Rest assured that you’ll find yourself in a haven of the best online slot games in the world!