When many think of casinos they think of slot machines. The bright lights, sound effects and triumphant players celebrating their wins have become synonymous with the Vegas casino experience. Slot machines can be found in bars, airports and service stations as well as in casinos. Over the past decade their popularity has also skyrocketed online. New slot sites are opening every day making online slot games a hugely lucrative corner of the gambling market.
So while many games have come and gone over the years one that remains constant in its popularity with players is the slot machine.
The origins of the slot machine
The first slot machine was built in 1894 by Charles Fey and was named the Liberty Bell. It comprised of three reels with the images of a diamond, horseshoe, star, spade, heart and cracked liberty bell. The player would pay with a nickel and pull the lever making the reels spin. The combination of symbols that the reels stopped spinning on dictated the payout, if any.
The Liberty Bell was an instant success and went on to be copied by others keen to capitalize on the success of Charles Fey. In 1902 playing slot machines for cash prizes was outlawed in America. This meant that fruit machines, which issued sweets or gum instead of cash prizes, were the next popular incarnation of slot machines.
It wasn’t until the 70s that slots games started to take the form that we are most familiar with nowadays. The first video slot machine called Fortune Coin used a modified television screen as the display and was invented in 1975, though it didn’t catch on in popularity until the 80s.
The invention of a new video slot machine in the 1980s called Megabucks was incredibly popular as its potential payouts were huge. It was this machine that sparked the unstoppable rise in popularity of slot games that continues to this day.
Internet slots games
The invention and widespread use of the internet in the 1990s brought plenty of new challenges and opportunities to slot gaming. Initially online slot games were simply an online version of the physical slot machines. As their online popularity grew and the graphics improved soon there were thousands of different themed slot games for the internet player to choose from.
Modern slot games
Nowadays slot machines come in countless styles and varieties to appeal to any and all tastes. They are the perfect game for new and experienced gamblers alike. Slot games are easy to learn either online or offline. They don’t require any knowledge of strategy or odds. They are simple yet very rewarding.
In many ways online slot games have eclipsed their offline counterparts in popularity. There are a number of reasons for this but most notable is the sheer range and variety of slot sites available online. With so many to possibilities a player can be as choosy as they want – which is significantly harder to do in a brick and mortar casino!
Bonuses
With the new wave of online slot sites come excellent options for taking advantage of bonuses that casinos offer to entice new players. From price matched welcome deposits to free spins, these bonuses can be a great way to start out strong while playing new slot games.
It is worth noting that welcome bonuses do come with strings attached, so reading the terms and conditions thoroughly is a must before deciding which deal to go with. Checking out reviews from trusted sites, such as Online Casino, and seasoned players can be a great way to help decide on the best site for you. If you want to know more this site discusses new online slot sites.
Ease of play
While many players relish a game that requires strategic knowledge and an in depth understanding of the rules, many others enjoy the simplicity and instant reward of slot machines.
You can enjoy a slot game whether you’ve never set foot in a casino before or if you’re a seasoned pro. The essential format of the game hasn’t changed since the invention of the Liberty Bell – pull a lever (or click a mouse) and wait to see if the winning combinations light up your screen.
Slot games therefore can be perfect for players who gamble to switch off and unwind at the end of the day.
Small risk, high reward
Slot games are known for high rewards with payouts being anywhere from 80% to 90% depending on the casino. This is an integral reason for the enduring popularity of slot games. There are also slots that have progressive jackpots – which grow each time they go unclaimed. This kind of jackpot can be addictive, making players keen to come back in the chance of winning, so it is always important to play safely.
You don’t need to deposit much to play slots, meaning that they present a unique opportunity to get some serious returns on your investment.
The opportunities are endless
The ease of game play with slots games doesn’t prevent them being one of the most exciting games out there. The chances of winning on slots have never been greater as casinos expand and compete to be the most lucrative option to players.
If you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of online slots or if you’re an experienced player looking for new slot sites there’s never been a better time to explore the options out there. Slot games have an impressive range of themes to choose, from TV shows to film to the more traditional casino experience.
Another key factor in the modern surge in popularity of slots is the invention of mobile devices – meaning that you can now play slots wherever you have internet.
Conclusion
The enduring popularity of slot games shows no signs of slowing. With the ability to play from the comfort of your own home, ease of play and the variety of slots to choose from we will likely see slot games continue their growth for many years to come.
