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History of gambling machines in the United States
Slot machines are the most recognizable symbol of American casinos. From heavy mechanical boxes with a lever to screens with 3D animation and general-staff jackpots, the industry has gone through dozens of technological leaps and changed the habits of millions of guests. Below is a brief but rich history of the evolution of slots in the US: what, who and why made them like today.
1) Prehistory and "Liberty Bell": the birth of the genre (late XIX - early XX century)
Poker machines and trading "toys." In the late 1800s, US bars were equipped with devices that imitated poker cards: winnings were often given out by bartenders with drinks or prizes.
Charles Fey and "Liberty Bell." A three-reel machine with simple symbols (horseshoes, stars, tambourines/hearts/peaks and the famous bell) appears in San Francisco. Fixed drum mechanics and automatic payouts made the game independent.
Why "fruit." In the era of local bans, manufacturers disguise excitement as "vending machines": fruit symbols and chewing gum logos, and "winnings" in the form of sweets/chewing gum. Hence the lemons, plums and BAR on the drums.
2) From prohibitions to standardization: the path to Nevada (the first half of the 20th century)
Motley map of laws. Most states restrict gambling machines; operators maneuver between "trading devices" and private clubs.
Nevada is an exception. With the legalization of gambling in 1931, Las Vegas and Reno get a legal market; slots become the "quiet ticket office" of saloons, motels and early resorts.
Industrialization. Large manufacturers of cabinets and payment mechanics appear, drum sizes and the "one-armed bandit" form factor are unified.
3) Electromechanical revolution (1960s)
From springs to solenoids. Electromechanical assemblies increase reliability, allow complex combinations and large automatic payments through internal coin bunkers.
New effects. Sounds, flashing lights, "buying" coins from a hopper - slots become a show object, not just a utilitarian machine.
4) Video Slots and RNG: The Birth of the Digital Era (1970s - 1980s)
First video slot. In the mid-1970s, Vegas tested video drums on screen; mechanics are replaced by RNG (RNG) - a software pseudo-random number generator that determines the outcome of spin.
What changes for the player. Multi-line bets, bonus screens, animation and interactive appear - the "drums" are no longer limited to metal.
IGT and the "standard era." Large vendors scale video slots, certify RNG in laboratories, and casinos receive configuration tools (denominations, line sets).
5) Progressive jackpots and "networked" Vegas (late 1980s - 1990s)
Local and connected progressions. Machines are combined in the network: part of each bet goes to the general pool. The jackpot is growing before our eyes - it changes the psychology of the game and the marketing of the halls.
Multimillion-dollar stories. The first media winners appear at the "mega-progressions" - the new cultural myth of Vegas.
6) TITO, player cards and big telemetry (late 1990s - 2000s)
Ticket-In/Ticket-Out. Paper vouchers instead of coins change everything: faster cash out, cleaner floor, less operating costs.
Loyalty cards. The player inserts a card - the casino knows the turnover, denominations, frequency of calls and can personalize offers (computers, free nights, tournament invites).
Server distribution. Content and math are downloaded centrally: faster rotation of games and seasonal themes.
7) Tribal boom and game classes (since 1988)
IGRA и NIGC. The Indian Tribal Gambling Act triggers the explosive growth of resorts on reservations.
Class II vs Class III.
Class II - legally "bingo-based" devices (in appearance - as slots, but the result is determined by the bingo engine).
Class III - "classic" vegas-style slots.
This expands the geography of slots far beyond Vegas and Atlantic City.
8) New dramaturgy: bonus games, licenses and "stories" (2000s)
Branded slots. Movies, TV shows, musicians - from "Wheel of Fortune" to cult franchises. The playroom becomes an IP amusement park.
Bonuses and selection. Free spins modes, wheels, case selection, cumulative scales - a feeling of progress and participation.
Volatility to choose from. From a "long game" with frequent small payments to highly dispersed "bonus hunts."
9) "Links" and Hold & Spin: Viral Mechanics of the 2010s
Link-series. Modern hits (including on the American floor) popularize the mechanics of "collect coins/balls → fix → achieve Grand/Minor/...."
Why it works. Mini-game with understandable progress, loud visualization "almost got" and large peaks of bonuses.
Denominations and cabinets. Huge vertical screens, subwoofers, cocoon chairs - the slot becomes a media object.
10) Regulation and fair play: Who's watching
Regular regulators. Nevada, New Jersey, et al., certify each build of the game: math (PAR sheets), RTP range, RNG correctness.
Independent laboratories. GLI, BMM, etc. test soft/hardware and fix checksums.
Responsible play. Limits, self-exclusion, RG messages; slots - a product with transparent rules and audits, and not a "black box" without supervision.
11) Online slots and iGaming (2010s - 2020s)
Intrastate model. A number of states have legalized online casinos: video slots have "moved" to an application with identical RNG logic and geolocation verification.
How online is different. Above average RTP, quick content updates, one-click tournaments, cross-offers with offline (single player card).
Live slots and "shows." Dealer studios and gameshow formats add a social layer (chats, presenters, multipliers).
12) Slot economics: why they are the "motor" of the casino
Stable revenue base. Slots are less dependent on guests "skill; traffic is predictable, margin is manageable.
Wide funnel. Low entry threshold, different denomination, endless themes - from retro to sci-fi.
Data and LTV. Loyalty cards and telemetry allow you to fine-tune the product for audiences.
13) Design, psychology and controversial innovations
Sensory "mix." The sound of winning, light, "almost hits," large numbers - the language of instant dopamine.
Skill vs luck. Attempts to "skill-based" slots gave niche results: the mass player still chooses an understandable RNG and bonus show.
Balance of responsibility. Modern UX is complemented by reality-checks, deposit limits and quick access to self-exclusion (online), and offline by staff training and RG signals.
14) Timeline - "cheat sheet"
≈1890: mechanical poker machines, then Liberty Bell.
Start. 1900s: Fruit symbols and "chewy" winnings disguise.
1931: Nevada legalizes gambling - Vegas home gets slots
1960s: electromechanics → large automatic payments.
1970s: Video slots and RNG.
Con. 1980s: online progressives with multimillion-dollar jackpots.
Con. 1990s - 2000s: TITO, player cards, server distribution.
Since the 2010s: "links "/Hold & Spin, giant offices, online slots and live formats.
15) What to watch player today (historical view → practice)
1. RTP/volatility: Modern versions of the same "classic" may differ in return and variance.
2. Denomination and rate: penny slots with hundreds of lines are sometimes more expensive per spin than "dollar" ones - read the info screen.
3. Progressions: local vs connected jackpots - different frequency and size of the "peak."
4. Loyalty: a player's card is a history of turnover, computers, tournaments and personal offers.
5. Responsible play: Budget and time limits are the best "technology" of any era.
The history of American slots is the history of technological and cultural twists: from leverage and mechanics to video and RNG, from a single machine to progressive networks and online ecosystems, from gum for winning to multimillion-dollar jackpots. Today, the slot is not just a machine, but a media platform with data, loyalty and show mechanics. But the main principle has not changed since the days of Liberty Bell: it is a game of chance with transparent rules, which should be entered consciously - for the sake of entertainment, and not expectations of easy profit.