Slots History

The history of slots goes back more than 100 years when the first slots machines started appearing in the San Francisco area at the end of the 19th century. Charles Fey is often credited as having invented the original slot machine, which he built by hand out of wood and other components. The game featured symbols on the first set of dials including stars, horse shoes, diamonds, hearts, spades and bells, which is why it was named The Liberty Bell. By the early 20th century Fey made some modifications such as a new structural design which included iron and he also added new familiar symbols often associated with classic slot machines such as fruits. All the machines were coin operated.

Further improvements to the slot machines were made during the 1930's by the Mills Novelty Company who were able to make the machines operate much more quietly and who also introduced the concept of a larger jackpot to attract players who were looking for a chance at larger winnings. By the 1940's Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas was attracting a lot of high rollers and slots games became increasingly popular at the casinos.

The original slots machines had three reels (also called dials) but today many of the popular slots games feature 4 or 5 reels for added excitement and more winning combinations. As time went on many of the old style machines that were operated by pulling an arm or lever were replaced with button operated machines and from there came video slots. Finally, with the internet boom came online slots games which perfectly emulate the original machines using software. Find out more about how this software works here.