It is said that time waits for nobody and the same can be said about technology. Nearly every corner of the world has been transformed by hi-tech advancements, whether it’s in medicine, computing or entertainment.
We all have to adapt to this ever-changing technological world and learn new skills, otherwise we will be left behind and this applies to businesses as well. The most successful companies always have one eye on the world of technology and are quick to use new inventions and appealing online casino offers to their advantage.
One industry that continues to thrive because of this attitude is the gambling industry. One niche within it in particular, has become a phenomenal success, thanks to it embracing technological advancements and that is the world of slots.
Early Advancements
This eagerness to utilize new technology even dates back to the early 1900s. During this period slots were officially banned as gambling tools. Despite this, they still existed in a form that allowed the public to win non-cash prizes such as bubble gum.
In fact, this is how fruit machines came into existence as new fruit symbols were introduced to the reels. If you matched three symbols you would win sweets instead of cash.
In 1907 a slot called Operator Bell that also focused on fruit symbols hit the country. It also proved highly popular and was introduced into saloons and barber’s shops.
Another major technological breakthrough that changed the world of slots came with the first electrical slot machine that was called Money Honey. This was introduced to the public back in 1963 and proved a major stepping-stone to more groundbreaking improvements.
In 1976 the first video slot was invented, this was the first time a slot machine had moved away from its mechanical predecessors. This machine used a modified 19-inch Sony TV screen for the display. Customers of the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel were some of the first to try it. This slot needed some modifications to prevent cheating and was then rolled out to the masses once it got approval by the Nevada State Gaming Commission.
The Digital Revolution
The 1990s will always be remembered in history for the digital revolution. This didn’t just change certain business sectors it actually changed the world due to the invention of the internet. The entertainment industry was especially transformed and this included the world of gambling.
In 1996 the next major technological landmark occurred hot on the heels of the invention of the internet. It was the year the first online casino went live and the public could play traditional table games in the comfort of their own homes for the first time ever.
However, things were developing elsewhere in the gambling industry and in the same year WMS Industries Inc released the first online video slot called Reel Em. This was the first-ever slot to feature a second screen bonus and it paved the way for a myriad of video slots and the rest, as they say, is history.
