Slots are one of the most popular games around, attracting millions of players to sign-up for accounts at online casinos.
With a history dating all the back to the 1800s, slot games have since become firmly established as a mainstream entertainment activity.
Initially made popular in amusement arcades, bars, bingo halls and other venues, the arrival of the internet has revolutionised the slots industry.
Read on as we take a closer look at the origins of slot machines and explain why the modern games have become a 21st century phenomenon.
US Firm Sparks Slots Craze
A New York based company, Sittman and Pitt, developed a gambling machine back in 1891 which was a forerunner to the slot machines that followed.
As with any new inventions there were many subsequent advancements, although it wasn’t until 1963 that slots technology truly began to take off.
Bally’s Money Honey was the first fully electromechanical slot machine, creating a template that many other developers began to emulate.
Slots became commonplace in society thereafter, but it was the creation of the internet that provided the catalyst for what has followed since the turn of the century.
Developers Eager to Grab a Piece of the Action
Leading gaming developers such as Microgaming and NetEnt are amongst the innovators who have helped to fire slots into a completely different stratosphere.
Their ability to construct games with exciting features, bonus levels and huge jackpots has contributed to a massive rise in revenues in online gambling.
Developers of this ilk regularly push the boundaries of possibilities from a tech perspective, helping to keep a freshness to the slots sector.
With newer firms like Yggdrasil Gaming bringing further competition to the industry, it is easy to see why slots games are booming.
Instant Thrills set Slots Apart from Other Games
The simplicity of slots helps to set them apart from many other online casino games like blackjack, poker and baccarat.
Whereas those games require you to get to grips with what some people may think are difficult rules, slots allow you to dive straight in at the touch of a button.
The instantaneous thrill of slots makes them hugely appealing to novice and professional players alike and is a factor that cannot be underestimated.
The convenience of slots also appeals to many players, with mobile tech making it even easier to access your favourite games.
The Free Play Factor
There are lots of players who simply want to play slots for fun in order to recapture a part of their youth that may have been long forgotten.
Most leading operators allow people to play their games for free, allowing you to get to grips with how the different elements work.
While the slots sites are hoping that you will eventually start to play for real money, it is entirely possible to keep playing for free if you visit different ones.
Some social networking sites also have slots games that are free-to-play, giving you the chance to win virtual rewards as opposed to cash.
It’s All About the Jackpots
While playing for free is certainly fun, the biggest thrill anyone can get from a slot game is scooping a life-changing sum of money.
Many slots offer progressive jackpots that run into millions of dollars, creating the prospect of some players being able to quit their jobs and retire to a life of luxury.
Much like buying a lottery ticket the odds are against you, but the fact that it is possible is what makes slots such an exciting proposition.
Whether you play for just a few dollars or are a true high-roller, slots are a great way to change your life forever.
