Online slots are the virtual version of the physical slot machine. There are a lot of changes in the game since its inception. Here is some information on the same.
For a person who enjoys playing the slots but cannot travel regularly to a casino or just wants his privacy, online slots are a real boon. They are convenient, fast and a lot of fun. With their innovative designs, storylines, themes and different types of bonuses, they are a fun filled activity to take part in.
The original slot game was a machine one found in a casino. It usually had three or more reels with symbols and various patterns on them which a player had to spin by holding a lever or pressing a button. You could win a bonus and prize depending upon the order of symbols you got when the reels stopped spinning. online slots follow the same basic principal, the only difference being the whole game is virtual and there is no physical slot machine.
- The first real slot machine was invented in 1887 by Charles Fey of San Francisco in California. It was called the Liberty Bell and was the first real slot game machine. Since then different models based on the Liberty Bell were introduced.
- The Fruit Machines were created with the cooperation of the Bell Fruit Gum Company in 1912 and instead of wining money; a person could win packs of gum in different flavors. This was to circumnavigate the anti-gambling laws in most states. In 1920 the government passed anti alcohol laws which also affected slots as they were usually placed in saloons.
- The Golden Age of Slots took place between 1919-1930 and it was during this period that slots grew all across America despite the numerous laws and bans against the same.
- The first electromagnetic slot was developed in 1964 and was named Money Honey.It was however in 1994 that the Free Trade & Processing Act by Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean was passed which allowed Internet casinos to be opened legally.
- The first Internet casino was launched soon after called Gaming club in 1995. The second one InterCasino opened in 1996.
- WMS Industries Inc created the first video slot called Reel’em in 1996 and this was the precursor to online slots.
- The Canadian Kahnawake Game Commission was soon created to help and protect online gamers.
- In 2006, however, the United States passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act which banned money transfers through wire to and from casino accounts restricting online slots and other games.