ELECTRONIC SLOT MACHINES: AN OVERVIEW
THE EVOLUTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SLOT MACHINE
In their early years, slot machines were called " one arm bandit " because of the lever mechanism used by players to spin the reels. Today, technology has infiltrated every area of our daily life and the iGaming sector is no exception: thanks to continuous technological innovation, the classic slots that have accompanied us for years have undergone a transformation, thus becoming electronic slot machines.
These are the direct result of the digital revolution we have witnessed, which has made the gaming experience for users more interactive, comfortable, intuitive, and interesting. Who initiated this transformation? Bally Manufacturing (or Bally Entertainment) is the American company known by many for creating the Pinball game, but few know that it was also responsible for the profound change that took place in the world of slots, initiated with the creation of "Money Honey", the first electronic slot released in 1963. Bally Manufacturing's approach to the electronic revolution was balanced: the company's portfolio featured both traditional and more technological slots.
WHAT DIFFERENT THESE NEW SLOTS FROM THE PREVIOUS SLOTS?
Simply put, electronic slot machines were more reliable and easier to use. Furthermore, in 1996, WMS industries, Inc. devised an innovative solution to make electronic slots even more interesting and loosening thanks to the “Reel 'em in” series, an all-round success in terms of public acceptance. In addition to the classic reel screen, these slots offered a second one where players had the opportunity to win never-before-seen bonuses.
Another element that allowed the electronic slots to stand out from the mechanical versions was the greater number of pay lines offered: instead of a single standard line in the center of the screen, in fact, these slots offered up to 50 and, in a short time, this novelty captured the hearts of the players.
THE INTRODUCTION OF RANDOM NUMBER GENERATORS
Another milestone in the history of electronic slots was the introduction of virtual reels. Gaming multinational International Game Technology was the first to use Random Number Generators (RNGs) in its products; these allowed to simulate the spin of the reels and to produce completely random results. In this way, the leverage characteristic that had accompanied slots for decades became superfluous. The use of RNGs therefore created greater variety in the games and allowed to expand the audience participating in the prize pool through what later became the progressive prize pool slot machines.
In the 90s, the casinos stood by and took the opportunity offered by the advent of the internet, recreating their online slots and thus giving life to a second revolution in the field of casinos, capable of offering an experience never seen before. and more exciting than ever.
Here is a timeline that summarizes the history of electronic slot machines
• 1963: the origins.
• “Money Honey” is the first electronic slot to be released.
• 1996: WMS Industries, Inc. creates a series of electronic slot machines called “Reel 'em in” with a second screen and extra bonuses.
• Introduction of Random Number Generators (RNG).
• The offer of pay lines expands to 30-50.
• Introduction of slot machines with prize pools.
• Switching from electronic to virtual slot machines.