Slot machines have been around far longer than the internet itself. With the ability to play a huge variety of them online, some of the first spinning reels date back as far as 1887.
In the modern day, you can play a huge variety of games online, such as Dynamite Riches Megaways and the Fishin’ Frenzy franchise, for example.
With so many to choose from, and technology continuously evolving – it’s no wonder so many players have questions.
In this article we will be answering some of the most frequently asked questions, so read on to find out more about slot games…
Where did slot machines come from?
The first slot was called the Liberty Bell – created by Charles Augustus Fey. It was the first to allow automatic payouts and featured five drums and three reels.
The highest payout was awarded for landing three bell symbols on the reels. These Slots proved so popular that, without a patent, Fey’s invention was copied by other slot machine manufacturers in the years to come.
Why do slot machines have fruit symbols?
In 1902, slot machines were banned. However, the Liberty Bell continued to be manufactured. Because prizes could no longer be paid out, the machines adopted fruit symbols which corresponded to the flavour of gum or sweet that would be distributed, should the matching symbols be successfully lined up on the reels.
In 1907, a Chicago-based manufacturer called Herbert Mills created a slot machine called the Operator Bell. A year later, these machines could be found in most shops, saloons and bowling alleys.
At this time, the BAR symbol was also introduced, which is believed to be based on the logo of the Bell-Fruit company, which provided the gum prizes.
What are progressive slot machines?
Progressive Slots are games which allocate a small percentage of each wager to a pooled jackpot. This could be a standalone jackpot, just for that singular game, a local jackpot – which is pooled across games at that same casino, or a network jackpot – where bets from the same game all contribute towards a progressive jackpot across different casinos, or games by the same developer across multiple platforms.
Are online Slots a fix?
The simple answer to this commonly asked question is no. No slot games are fixed – whether you play online or at a land-based venue.
Original land-based slot machines worked through a spring and lever system. Inserting a coin would allow you to pull the lever, which would stretch the spring and set the reels in motion. As the spring recoiled, the reels would stop spinning and reveal the random outcome.
Nowadays, video Slots both online and at brick-and-mortar casinos are kept fair and unpredictable thanks to the use of a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is computer software that has no memory, so creates different combinations of numbers and symbols every single second.
Therefore, the very second you press spin is the very second the outcome is decided. This is the closest thing to computer-generated randomness there is. This means slot machines are not fixed, as there is no way for anyone to know, or alter, the outcomes.
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With some FAQs answered, do you think you’ll be trying your chances and spinning the reels online, or at a land-based venue anytime soon?