Now, you may love playing those online slots today. They are fun, and there are so many variations to play – that you could be engaged and engrossed for hours!
But whether you have been to Las Vegas or played on Betway casino, we are sure you didn’t know about some of these slots facts!
1. Slot Machines were banned!
Surprisingly, slot machines faced bans frequently. The clergy, law enforcement, and the morality forces were against the slot machines. They frequently expressed their opposition, which led to the prohibition of slot machines in 1909. Around that time, there were 3300 active slot machines in San Francisco.
This law had a loophole which the producers were quick to identify. Fey and his contemporaries began producing slot machines without coin slots. The payouts (mostly drinks and see) and purchases happened over the saloon counters. However, most of the slot machine factories shifted their businesses to Chicago.
2. The Fruit Symbols Came into Play in 1909
1909 was the year when the Industry Novelty Company first used the fruit symbols. The firm called its slot machines a “chewing gum dispenser” to evade the law.
They smartly replaced the playing card icons with fruit symbols that represented the flavours of gums. They even crafted some machines that gave out gums. Other competing firms imitated this move.
After this, in the 1920s and 1930s, slot machines continued to operate in resorts. Around the 1950s, the ban on gambling was lifted. Anyhow, the private use of slot machines in clubs and resorts was ignored everywhere.
3. The use of slot machines was legalized post-WWII to generate tax revenue
Post-WWII, the electronic slot machines introduced many new payout schemes due to the ban’s relaxation. The governments lifted many restrictions, keeping in mind the revenue prospects. Furthermore, the laws were even more relaxed in the 20th century to raise revenues across states.
4. Video Slot Machines in Las Vegas
The video slot machines were introduced in Las Vegas in 1975. These machines had a monitor that resembled the real reels. They did not garner much popularity as the die-hard slot machine fans did not like them much.
Skipping to 1986, a “shared super jackpot” was introduced. Many slot machines across various locations were linked digitally, and a fraction of each inserted coin would build up the super jackpot. An interesting instance would be when Las Vegas rolled out a staggering $40 million payout in 2003.
5. Rise of online slot machines
Towards the early 21st century, online casinos gained abrupt popularity. This posed a major threat to real casinos. Online casinos can be operated using computers or even phones.
However, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, 2006, barred US banks and financial institutions from interacting with online casinos. Similarly, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 of Australia prohibits providing gambling services to people who are physically in Australia.
As of today, slot machines are still an inseparable part of casinos and gambling. Even mobile casinos have a wide variety of slots with colourful themes. The slots will continue to dominate online and offline gambling for the foreseeable future.