Online slots, a variant of online casino games, are receiving increased patronage from people from all walks of life all over the world, especially with the proliferation of entertainment facilities on the Internet. Because of this wide range of options for online slots, it is one of the most popular compared to other forms of entertainment. More and more online slot games are appearing, offered by various platforms and providers.
But have you ever thought about the history of these online slots? Interesting, isn’t it? In this article, we look at the fascinating history of online slots.
Online slots are rapidly conquering the world.
Even the slightest mention of the term “casino” triggers images of spacious and sophisticated gaming halls filled with video slot machines. These make their presence felt in land-based casinos. Slots are considered the most popular casino game and account for a large share of revenue. In the UK and Australia, they are known as “fruit machines,” and these video slots have come a long way since their conception.
It is interesting to note that while slot games have been around for several years, online slots have only recently come into existence. These casinos have made their way into homes, thanks to technology, with the use of websites and apps. Today, there are several online casinos that offer slot games that players can access instantly. In addition, there are a multitude of options.
Learn about the world’s first slot machine game
Did you know that the first slot machine was a technological breakthrough in itself? That’s when gambling began to mechanize, adding a whole new and different dimension to this form of leisure?
The first fruit slot machine game was Liberty Bell, invented in 1891 and having its roots in Brooklyn, New York. Ironically, slot machines began to gain popularity, with Nevada being the first state to legalize gambling, sowing the seeds of what would become Las Vegas.
Then, the slot machine became an instant hit, especially among women who then began to join their husbands in these establishments housing casinos. While their husbands indulged in roulette and poker, their wives entertained themselves by playing slot machines. Long after this, slot machine games began to expand even further.
The expansion of technology
Technology, particularly the internet, has opened up various opportunities for different sectors, including the gaming industry. Today, people can do almost anything online. As this technology continued to expand in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the casino experience also changed completely.
The invention of the first video slot machine occurred in Las Vegas, the home of casinos. The then new computerized device began accepting bets in 1976. Players were stunned and attracted by its glamorous and eye-catching color screen, especially when playing to win the jackpot. This also became a huge hit, and these video slots soon found their way into bars, pubs and casinos around the world.
The movement of slots to the Internet
Just today, it has been less than 24 years since the first slot game was launched on the Internet back in 1996. The first online casino was InterCasino, which initially offered 18 games. Little did people know that this online casino would thrive and expand into a far-reaching industry. While InterCasino still exists today, it now operates in a fairly saturated market.
As the online casino industry continued to gain momentum, gaming software emerged. Among the biggest and most famous names in the gaming industry that manifested this was Microgaming. It offered some of the most recognized online casino titles. As the first developer to create the elegant gaming software, it inspired many other game developers to create their respective titles every year since then. Today, many online game developers compete with each other, releasing award-winning online slot games with the most beautiful graphics to better immerse players in the game.
Online slots: the future
With all that you have learned about the history of online slots in the previous paragraphs, it is also very interesting to know what the future of these online slots will be.
Contrary to what other people say, online casinos have not actually made land-based casinos redundant. Many people still enjoy visiting the luxurious casinos to play their favorite games. However, it is a fact that gambling has become much easier when their online versions emerged. People can play casinos from the comfort of their homes. Today, they can even be played on smaller screens, such as through smartphones, while traveling or waiting for their next class.
Takeaways
That being said, the future of online slots will become even more exciting as technology continues to evolve. The emergence of so-called virtual reality today will surely offer more opportunities for online casinos to better enable players to enjoy them.
