Slot gaming is an immensely popular casino game and its history can be traced back to 1894. The first slot machine was invented by Charles Fey and the device was known as the Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell had 3 reels and 5 symbols:

* hearts

* diamonds

* spades

* horseshoes

* a liberty bell.

This slot machine was designed for automatic payouts and the highest payout was for a combination of 3 bell symbols.

The Liberty Bell enjoyed huge popularity, even after the official ban on slot machines in 1902. With the ban in place, people could no longer play for money.

Hence, they began to play for rewards in kind, instead. The symbols were replaced with fruit symbols, and chewing gums of the corresponding fruit flavour were distributed as rewards.

This was just the beginning and slot gaming has only continued to grow across the globe. Here we shall look at the growing popularity of slot gaming over the decades.

Growth and Popularity of Slot Gaming

It was the year 1964 when the first electromechanical slot machine was released by Bally. It was known as Money Honey and was operated electrically but still had the lever.

It was capable of automatic payout of 500 coins and made electromechanical slot machines the most sought-after devices.

However, it was the invention of the first video slot machine in 1976, that changed the game for slot gaming forever. Developed by Fortune Coin Co. of Las Vegas, the humble machine used a modified television for the display!

This meant a lot more possibilities for slot gaming, and the video slot machine became a part of leading casinos. The fun of video casinos was taken a step further with the launch of "Reel 'Em" by WMS Industries in 1996.

This video slot featured a second screen for bonus rounds of additional payouts. During bonus rounds, the game switched completely to the second screen.

By this time, slot gaming became the most lucrative game for casinos, generating as much as 70% of the total revenue. The advent of online slots proved to be a breakthrough for slot gaming enthusiasts across the globe.

Impact of Online Slots on Growth of Slot Gaming

The first online casinos came into existence in the mid 1990s, with the advent of the Internet. The best thing about online casinos was that people could play their favourite games from the comfort of their homes.

The initial days of online casinos were all about the traditional games like blackjack, roulette, etc. However, slot gaming soon found a place in online casinos and there has been no looking back ever since.

Today, online slot gaming contributes a lot towards the USD 63.53 billion online casino market globally. So, what makes online slots so popular?

1] Huge Variety of Games

Online casinos are known for the wide variety of games they offer and slot games are no different. You find slot games of different themes and different ways to win big.

Leading online casinos, such as Virgin Games, offer a range of slots with conventional as well as unconventional configurations.

So, you can try out a new slot game every time you play. With new games added often, there will be no dearth of options to choose from.

2] Convenience

One of the biggest factors working in favour of online slot games is that you can play from the comfort of your home. There is no need to visit a casino in order to play your favourite game.

This has resulted in more and more players playing in online casinos. Also, the fact that you can play on any device, including your smartphones, is another advantage.

3] Safe and Secure Payments

Slot gaming, just like every other casino game, involves money and so security becomes a question. However, with leading online casinos offering safe and secure payment options, there is no cause for concern.

4] Attractive Bonuses

Online slot games stand out because of the attractive bonuses and promotions they offer. The competition is very high in the world of online casinos and these bonuses are for attracting new players.

Sign-up bonus, referral bonus, free spins, etc. are just a few of the bonuses on offer. So, it is safe to say that playing online slots can ensure bonuses at every stage of the game.

This can be a huge advantage for new players who wish to try out the games.

5] Easy to Play

Last but not the least, online slot gaming is very easy to play and is designed keeping the convenience of the players in mind. Since slots are a game of chance, there aren't any strategies to be mastered in order to win.

If you're looking for fun and entertainment, online slot gaming is definitely worth a try.

Conclusion:

With the growing popularity of slot gaming, the future appears quite bright for this game. The introduction of new technology in the world of online gaming will make things more interesting.

Have you tried the simple game of slots yet? If not, you can register with a leading online casino and start playing today!