Slot machines today are among the mainstays for the industry of gaming, and are among the most lucrative income streams for land-based casinos. The story of slot machines as well as the gambling history within the United States are intertwined and can be traced back to 1895 the year that the first slot machine was created.
The machine was designed and constructed in the hands of Charles August Fey, the Liberty Bell slot machine first became accessible to the general public in 1895. It was named after its location in the San Francisco saloon it was set in the city, it was Liberty Belle became an instant popular choice for gamblers. Realizing that there was a lot of an opportunity in this new, unexplored market, and encouraged by the immense media attention and popularity that his first invention brought, Charles August Fey decided to create a new business which would solely focus on the design and manufacturing of slots. The company, appropriately named ‘Charles F. and Company Inc’, would continue to be the dominant player in the industry of slots over the following 50 years. slot
The beginning of the 20th century was a tense time for the gambling industry it was characterized by the legal regulations. In 1909, slots were declared illegal in their hometown in San Francisco, and by 1911, it had expanded across the whole State of California. However, the few of companies that made slot machines, under the direction of Charles Fey became increasingly innovative in identifying loopholes in the law. In order to make sure that their machines did not fall within the legal definition as a “gambling device” slot machine, producers changed the symbols that appeared on the machines, from gambling-themed cards to sweets and fruits.
Although it was certainly creative however, it was only an issue of time before authorities realized the weaknesses inherent in their laws. The slot industry was hit with an additional blow when the “State v. Ellis case’ that effectively banned all slots.
Despite legal restrictions the industry of slots was able to expand and grow particularly in Nevada in which the gambling industry was not subject to the laws that were in force by other states. In the wake of growing demand in the market, Mills Novelty Company Mills Novelty Company grew to become one of the main players in the business because of making slots that were less expensive with lighter wooden cabinets. In 1933, they created the ‘Castle front’ slot that was to become the symbol for the market for slots at the moment in time.
Another blow came in the year 1951, when Congress adopted The Transportation of Gambling Devices Act. However, there were technological advancements started with the development of electro-mechanical technology in the 1960’s , led in the 1960’s by Bally Corporation tool slot machines to higher levels of performance that gave players newer features that contributed significantly to the enjoyment levels enjoyed by players. In the 1970’s, further advances led to the introduction of Video Slots. At this point the International Game Technology (IGT) is one of the current big players in the slot industry, was founded.
Technology advancements have led to the advent to Random Number Generators (RNG’s) as a major development that is still the foundation of the land-based slot market, as in addition to the ever-growing online market for pokies. The slot industry has seen a significant improvement since the time that the Liberty Bell was first produced in 1895. Since then, it has been through a lot of regulation and legal issues. However, it hasn’t just thrived but also survived.