HISTORY AND OPERATION OF SLOT MACHINES
All casinos resonate with the characteristic sound of slot machines, mixing cheerful tinkling and cascading melodies. Their bright colors and hypnotic lights create a captivating visual spectacle, plunging players into a kaleidoscope of sensations. Undoubtedly, slot machines remain the unrivaled symbol of casinos. Easily accessible, they are also the most popular game of chance around the globe. But what is the origin of these one-armed bandits? How do they work? Answers with GAMRFIRST.
HISTORY OF SLOT MACHINES
Since its creation in the late 19th century, the one-armed bandit or slot machine, as it is called, has undergone many evolutions. From a simple mechanical system, it has become a machine integrating advanced technologies.
THE NEW YORK ANCESTOR OF THE SLOT MACHINE
In 1891, the New York company Sittman & Pitt, based in the heart of Brooklyn, created the Lady Luck. For the moment, it is simply a mechanical system with 5 reels containing 50 poker images. But the idea is already there. Players insert a 50-cent coin and then pull the lever to activate the reels. The cards scroll and then stop, giving a combination.
However, this game of chance is not yet a gambling game. The machines do not offer any payment system. Most of the time, the player enjoys a free drink or a cigar offered by the bar.
At that time, many establishments tamper with the operation of the machines to disadvantage their customers. Nevertheless, this new game finds its audience, encouraging many bars in the city to install it on their premises.
1894 TO 1899: INVENTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE SLOT MACHINE
The true first slot machine is invented in 1894 by the mechanic Charles August Fey. The "one-armed bandit" or the "slot machine" is born.
Originally, this German expatriate in the United States worked for a manufacturer of telephones and telegraphs. Very quickly, he decided to quit his job to bring to market the first machine to which he gave the name "Horseshoe," or "fer à cheval" in French.
In 1895, he invented a new variant of the slot machine, based on a system of 3 concentric reels. He nicknamed his new game the "4-11-44". The success was immediate. All American bars wanted to acquire it. Charles August Fey then created his slot machine manufacturing company, Market Street, in San Francisco. With this model, the number of possible combinations remained limited, and the concentric reel system needed some improvements.
Charles August Fey then worked on his new version, the Card Bell, finalized in 1898. This time, the slot machine operated using automatic reels containing each 5 symbols: the diamond, the ace of spades, the heart, the horseshoe, and the Liberty Bell. Spun at high speed, the reels spin and then stop, each time with the chance to win the jackpot.
But Charles August Fey did not stop there. He perfected his model and released a final version of his slot machine in 1899, the Liberty Bell. Smaller and made of metal, it offered 1,000 different combinations.
SLOT MACHINES FROM 1907 TO 1933
The Liberty Bell was a resounding success. Many companies took the side of copying the system invented by Charles August Fey. In 1907, the Mills company stole a device and brought an identical model to the market.
When Prohibition began in 1910, the legal slot machine business came to an end. It was at this time that the symbol of fruits appeared on the reels. Gambling was banned in the United States until 1933. The Mills company, then the leader in the market, decided to transform its machines into candy dispensers. It therefore replaced the poker symbols with the flavors offered: lemons, plums, cherries, and oranges. These symbols were kept and reused by casinos to this day.
ELECTROMECHANICAL SLOT MACHINES (1960 - 1970)
Keeping their fundamental mechanical structure, slot machines now incorporate electrical components to offer new experiences to players.
In addition to the traditional lever to pull, push buttons are now added. Electrical components introduce a symphony of lights and sound. Bonus games, multiline machines allowing the player to activate multiple paylines at the same time, increase the possibilities of combination. All these innovations strengthen the interactivity and immersive nature of the game of chance.
THE ENTRY OF SLOT MACHINES INTO THE DIGITAL AGE
The integration of microprocessors into slot machines marks a crucial step in the popularity of this game of chance. This technology offers a greater variety of symbols and winning combinations. It then expands the range of possibilities for players by introducing new complexity into the game.
This turning point paves the way for the design of video slot machines, where virtual reels are displayed on interactive screens. Such an evolution has allowed game developers to push the boundaries of creativity. They are now able to offer more varied themes with more complex features.
THE ARRIVAL OF ONLINE SLOT MACHINES
With the advent of the Internet, slot machines also make their entry into the virtual world. The first online casinos then begin to offer players a greater variety of games. In parallel, the digital revolution offers, in turn, more creativity in themes, bonuses, and features.
MODERN SLOT MACHINES
They now integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D graphics, and even gameplay elements borrowed from video games.
As for the progressive jackpot slot machine, it offers interesting winnings, sometimes of several million Swiss francs, thanks to connected machine networks.
HOW DO SLOT MACHINES WORK?
Traditional slot machines, that is, mechanical ones, are now rare in casinos. Most invest in modern systems with video screens, random number generators, and complex software.
HOW DOES A MECHANICAL SLOT MACHINE WORK?
A traditional slot machine works with a rather simple system. It consists of three or five reels containing different symbols printed on their surface. The player inserts a coin or token into the machine's slot to place their bet.
Before starting the game, the player pulls a physical lever on the side of the machine. The reels start spinning independently. Each of them eventually stops on a specific symbol.
Once the reels are immobilized, the symbols displayed on the central line, called the payline, are examined to determine if there is a winning combination. These can vary depending on the specific rules of the game. Most of the time, they involve aligning identical symbols on the payline.
If the symbols align to form a winning combination, the mechanical slot machine triggers a payment mechanism. This releases the coins won into a collection tray at the front of the machine.
After each game, the traditional slot machine resets for the next player. The reels return to their starting position. The machine is ready to be used again.
Good to know: what is the payout rate of a slot machine?
The return rate or Return to Player in English corresponds to the percentage of bets redistributed by the casino in the form of winnings for each slot machine. In Switzerland, this rate is above 95% for all casino games.
HOW DOES A LATEST GENERATION SLOT MACHINE WORK?
Today, in online or land-based casinos, the operation of slot machines is based on a random number generator (RNG). This computer system is tasked with creating, consistently, random sequences of numbers. Each of them corresponds to a set of symbols. This is displayed when the reels stop.
The player presses the rotation button, and the reels start spinning. In video slot machines, they appear as images displayed on the screen. This type of machine sometimes offers touch screens and additional interactive bonus games. The player then stops the reels by pressing the button again. Without action on their part, the stop is automatic after a certain period of time.
The machine then consults the RNG to obtain the sequence of numbers generated at that precise moment. It then checks for winning combinations according to the rules of the game.
If the player wins, the machine automatically pays out by crediting the player's account. In land-based casinos, this is usually in chips or bills. In online casinos, the winnings are added to the player's account balance. After payment, the machine resets for the next round of play.
To ensure fair and random play, slot machines use complex algorithms. Players have no way to predict or influence the outcome.
Since the advent of slot machines in the late 19th century, manufacturers and casinos have continued to innovate. With the slot machines of your online casino, dive into a captivating array of hundreds of themes for an unparalleled gaming experience. Feel free to visit our "Responsible Gaming" page to find out about options such as setting gaming limits.