When the first casino was built, it consisted of a few gaming tables and a small number of slot machines. The idea for this kind of facility came from Las Vegas in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At that time, there were about 300 casinos in Nevada; today, there are well over 2,000.
However, by the 1980s, video poker had become popular, and many people wanted to take their chances at playing slots. People began taking their money and placing bets on a wide variety of different games. In fact, as soon as they became available, they outsold traditional slot machines almost immediately.
The invention of electronic slot machines changed the way gambling is done. Today, more than 99 percent of all gaming in the United States happens through slot machines and video lottery terminals. That’s why most people refer to them simply as “slots.”
What is a slot machine? It looks like a big, empty box with numbers and symbols, but inside, the computer controls everything. The user inserts coins into the slot, which triggers an internal mechanism that spins around and around. When the mechanism stops spinning, it reveals the winning combination—a specific symbol or set of symbols that match what the player wants. A slot machine gives players the opportunity to win a prize based on their luck and skill, instead of how much cash they have in their pockets.
Today, you can find hundreds of varieties of slot machines throughout the world. Some machines offer only one type of game, while others feature hundreds. You may also see machines that are specially designed to play certain kinds of games, such as progressive jackpots or bonus rounds.
Types of slot machines
There are two basic types of slot machines: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical slot machines use physical objects to determine the outcome of the game. For example, when a wheel spins, it could reveal a winning combination. Electronic slot machines are slightly different. Instead of using physical objects to generate randomness, they rely on electronics to trigger events in the machine. In other words, the randomness comes from the algorithms used to create the outcomes of the game.
Electronic slot machines can be divided into several categories. Here are some examples of common ones:
Single-line slot machines: These machines display one line of symbols. Players choose from among five different symbols, and if any of those matches what appears on the line, the player wins a prize. This is the simplest form of slot machine, and single-line machines are often found in convenience stores and restaurants. They pay out less frequently than multi-line machines, but they are still very popular.
Multi-line slot machines: These machines show multiple lines at once. Players choose from among five different symbols, and if any of those matches what appears on the line, the player wins a prize. Multi-line machines are usually found in bars, pubs, racetracks, and other locations where people want to spend money on entertainment.
Progressive slot machines: Progressive machines combine elements of both the single-line and multi-line varieties. Like multi-line machines, they show multiple lines at once. Unlike multi-line machines, however, each line has its own individual payout value. That means that even though the machine displays 10 lines, each line might pay $1, $5, $10, or $100, depending on the outcome of the spin. Progressive slot machines are usually found in hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Multiline progressives: Multiline progressives combine the features of both the single-line and multi-line varieties, but they add another layer of complexity to the game. The machine displays multiple lines, but each line pays off differently. If the player selects a particular line, the machine will randomly select a combination of symbols for that line. Each line then pays back whatever amount the player won on that line. However, if the player gets lucky on two or more lines, they can potentially win far larger prizes than they would otherwise. There are multiline progressives in casinos, and they are becoming increasingly popular.
Bonus slot machines: Bonus slot machines are special kinds of multiline progressives. On these machines, the software creates random combinations of symbols that give players extra opportunities to win prizes. Sometimes, these combinations will include wild cards, which can substitute for any symbol in the game. Other times, the software will use “scatter” symbols, which do not have any meaning on their own, but appear in conjunction with other symbols to trigger additional payments. Bonus slot machines are sometimes known as “video poker” games because they resemble classic versions of the card game.
Slot machines with bonus rounds: Slot machines with bonus rounds do something similar to bonus slot machines. Instead of just adding new opportunities to win prizes, however, these machines add entire new games. Bonus rounds are usually triggered by hitting certain symbols (or groups of symbols) on the main game. When that happens, the machine activates a secondary game, which might involve choosing between different options or answering questions. Many online casinos offer bonus rounds as part of their slot machines, and they typically give away free tokens that can be exchanged for real money.
How slot games work
A slot machine uses a series of random events to decide whether the player wins a prize or loses their money. Most of the time, though, the outcome is determined by the rules of the game. Here are the events that happen during the course of a typical round of play:
Insertion: During insertion, the player puts money into the machine. The player presses the button on the front, and the machine accepts the coin. The machine may require some sort of identification before accepting the coin.
Spin: After the player inserts a coin, the slot spins around and around. If the coin lands on an active symbol, the player wins a prize. Otherwise, the machine keeps spinning until it lands on a losing combination, which causes the machine to stop and return the player’s money.
Payout: After the machine stops spinning, the player takes the money he or she earned during the round and places it into the coin tray. Then, the machine releases the winning combinations, so the player can collect his or her reward.
It might seem complicated, but it really isn’t. All modern slot machines use the same basic mechanisms to perform these actions. Of course, manufacturers make slight adjustments, but the essential mechanics are always the same.
In addition to the above steps, slot machines also perform a variety of housekeeping tasks. For instance, they track the money that goes in and out of the machine. They keep a running tally of the number of coins that go into the machine, and they monitor the total number of coins that come out. When the total drops below a predetermined threshold, the machine automatically closes itself down.
In order to prevent players from cheating, slot machines also perform some security checks. For example, they might check to see if the coin inserted is counterfeit, or they might compare the serial number on the coin with the serial number stored in the machine’s memory. If the data don’t match, the machine will refuse to accept the coin, and it will close itself down.
These security measures help to ensure that the machine is fair and honest. But they aren’t foolproof. Players sometimes try to cheat by inserting fake coins or using stolen credit cards, and they might also try to sneak unauthorized devices into the machine (such as a USB stick).
Most casinos enforce a policy against allowing anyone into the premises who is under age 21. Because of this, slot machines at most casinos are accessible only to adults. Younger visitors must leave whenever it becomes clear that they are underage.
