When Was the Slot Machine Invented

When Was the First Slot Machine Invented? The History of Slots

When was the classic slot machine first invented? And how have slots evolved since that milestone day in casino history?

When was the classic slot machine first invented? And how have slots evolved since that milestone day in casino history?

Online casinos first launched in New Jersey in 2013, introducing a whole new gambling method. Before that, players had to visit casinos in person. This was the case for nearly 100 years as the first casino opened in the United States in 1931.

Today, the word “casino” seems synonymous with “slot machines”. Nowadays, there are slot games covering just about everything. From Chinese-inspired slots to movie-themed slot machines.

But where did they come from? Why are slots so popular? And why do all casinos (online and retail) have gaming options that are centered around them?

BetMGM Casino

BetMGM Casino NO DEPOSIT

Get a $25 No Deposit Bonus, plus a Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000!
$25 No Deposit Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply

When Was the Slot Machine Invented?

Before slot machines, other gambling machines were found in early 1890s Brooklyn, New York. The machine, developed by Sittman and Pitt, had five drums and held 50 cards. It was based on poker. Players would spin the drums and hope to receive a hand that would be beneficial in poker. You can see the similarities to modern-day slots.

Around this time, the first legitimate slot machines would be developed.

The first slot machines were invented before the turn of the 20th century in San Francisco, sometime between 1887 and 1895. The man responsible, Charles Fey, called his first iteration “Liberty Bell”.

Liberty Bell Slot Machine

Liberty Bell was a three-reel slot with a single pay line and a fully automated payout system. The symbols on this slot were horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a Liberty Bell. For this machine, the top payout was three bells in a row, which awarded you $0.50.

The Rise of Slot Machines…

The machine grew in popularity but was eventually banned in California. Fey’s invention drew attention from elsewhere, and other companies started to copy the design. Herbert Mills created a slot machine in 1907 and even called it Liberty Bell.

Today, you can find an 1899 Liberty Bell in the Nevada State Museum in the Fey Collection. Fast-forward to 1963, Bally advanced on the design, creating the first fully electro-mechanical machine known as Money Honey.

This was the first machine with a bottomless hopper and an auto payout of up to 500 coins.

When Was the First Video Slot Machine Made?

Then, in 1976, the first video slot was made in Kearny Mesa, California. Fortune Coin Co created it. The machine had a 19-inch Sony Trinitron color receiver and was first available to the public at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

Money Honey Slot Machine

The machine required some modifications to combat those trying to cheat it. Once those were ironed out, the Nevada State Gaming Commission approved them to be played along the Las Vegas Strip.

In 1978, IGT purchased Fortune Coin Co. and its video slot technology.

Golden Nugget Casino

Golden Nugget Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus on your first deposit worth up to $1,000! AND 200 Bonus Spins.
$1,000 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply

Whether it’s digital or land-based, why are slot machines so popular? Ever since the slot machine was invented, gamblers have loved them.

While anything can be new and exciting, why hasn’t the appeal of slots fallen off since getting created before 1900? It’s the 21st century, and these are still the most popular form of gaming at online casinos.

First and foremost, it’s accessibility. There’s no skill involved in slots – just put the money in, spin the lever, and hope to be lucky.

On top of this, with online casinos, they’re even easier to play now from the comfort of your own home. The games you’ll find at home or a retail casino are well over 90% slots.

For example, at Golden Nugget Casino in New Jersey, the online platform has 1255 total games. Of those, 1186 are slots.

Golden Nugget Casino

Golden Nugget Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus on your first deposit worth up to $1,000! AND 200 Bonus Spins.
$1,000 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply

So, when you combine ease of access, a large number of offerings, and not requiring any skill to get into it, this creates a default game for anyone to play. Whether you often gamble or only when you travel to Las Vegas for a vacation.

BetMGM Casino

BetMGM Casino NO DEPOSIT

Get a $25 No Deposit Bonus, plus a Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000!
$25 No Deposit Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Caesars Palace Online Casino

Caesars Palace Online Casino NO DEPOSIT

Get $10 on sign-up, a First Deposit Match up to $1,000 AND 2,500 Reward Credits® when you wager $25!
$1,010 Sign Up Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
FanDuel Casino

FanDuel Casino SPECIAL OFFER

Get a bonus matching the value of your first 24 hours of net losses, up to $1,000.
$1,000 Play It Again get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Golden Nugget Casino

Golden Nugget Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus on your first deposit worth up to $1,000! AND 200 Bonus Spins.
$1,000 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Borgata Casino

Borgata Casino NO DEPOSIT

Get a $20 No Deposit Bonus, plus a Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000!
$20 No Deposit Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Resorts Casino

Resorts Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000!
$1,000 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Mohegan Sun Casino

Mohegan Sun Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000!
$1,000 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
bet365 Casino

bet365 Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus up to $1,000!
$1,000 Sign Up Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
BetRivers Casino

BetRivers Casino DEPOSIT BONUS

Get a Deposit Match Bonus up to $500!
$500 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Party Casino

Party Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a 200% Deposit Match Bonus on your first deposit worth up to $200!
$200 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
Virgin Casino

Virgin Casino CASH BACK

Get Cash Back on losses in your first 24 hours up to $100!
$100 Cash Back get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
DraftKings Casino

DraftKings Casino DEPOSIT BONUS

Get a 100% Deposit Bonus up to $2,000!
$2,000 Deposit Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
SugarHouse Casino

SugarHouse Casino DEPOSIT MATCH

Get a Deposit Match Bonus up to $250!
$250 Deposit Match get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply
888casino

888casino NO DEPOSIT

Get a $20 No Deposit Bonus, plus a Deposit Match Bonus up to $500!
$20 No Deposit Bonus get bonus
Terms and Conditions apply

Slot Squad
Logo