Crypto slot games are the new fad. That said, these games have a storied history in physical casinos. The history and evolution of the best crypto slot games make for a fascinating study. Casino slots have come a long way since the late 19th century. A New York company called Sittman and Pitt developed the first machine in 1891. Today, online crypto casino slots take only subtle inspiration from the first iteration. Crypto gambling is sophisticated and diverse to reflect a growing market. The slot had five drums with 50 playing cards in the initial machine.
Players had to insert a nickel to play. After inserting a nickel, they got to pull a lever. Payments came when a player lined up poker hands on the reels. Notably, the rewards were mainly kind, with bars offering free drinks and cigars. Some credit Charles Augustus Fey with the invention of this machine. That said, it is an ongoing debate about the exact time the first slot machines emerged.
Gradual Evolution
Fey created the first machine that allowed for automatic payouts. The new slots replaced the playing cards with five symbols – hearts, diamonds, spades, horseshoes, and a liberty bell. Accordingly, the new machine got the name Liberty Bell. The players got the highest payout for three bells. This machine became very popular as slot machine manufacturers emerged.
Early in the 20th century, there were restrictions on cash payouts for slot machines. This window provided an opportunity for fruit machines to emerge. Fruit machines used fruit symbols, with prizes in kind. Today, fruit machines are still popular with the possibility of cash payouts. For several decades, slot machines remained mechanical. They had gradual changes, but the fundamental design did not change much.
Players had to pull a lever and let the reels run. The lever stretched a spring inside the machine, gradually stopping the reels from spinning. Slot levers gave players a sense of control and endured in popularity. The 1960s saw the emergence of electromechanical slots. These slots required a player to pull the lever, but reels operated electrically. Electronic slots were a hit as they made machines more elegant. Gradually, casinos began to design slots without the traditional lever.
In 1976, the first proper video slot machines came about. A company called Fortune Coin released the device in California. The game used a modified screen. It had some modifications and cheat-proofing and eventually got the approval of the Nevada State Gaming Commission. The modern era of gambling was beginning to take shape. The video slot machines got additional screens, bonuses, modifications, and improvements with time. By the mid-90s, casino slot games were a remarkable, engaging experience for casino enthusiasts.
Online Gambling Goes Digital in the Internet Era
Crypto gambling is only possible because of the introduction of online gambling. The internet era has been hugely beneficial to the casino industry. Notably, this usefulness was very apparent during the period of Coronavirus shutdowns. Slot games were a hit on the internet too.
Computer programming and coding have taken slot design and layout a notch higher. There are a variety of themes with innovative bonus rounds and other special features. Gamers are spoilt for choice in online slot games. Some of these online casinos have staggering jackpots. They provide extra incentives for gamblers looking to make a fortune potentially.
Crypto in Online Slot Games
Crypto gambling injected new dynamism into the online gambling sector. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies got popular in the last decade. Crypto and gambling are a natural fit because there is a theoretical aspect to both. Platforms like BC.Game emerged to merge these sectors. Cryptocurrency’s decentralisation introduces trustless and autonomous operations. The decentralisation is possible because computer algorithms ensure that network participants keep the network safe. These algorithms are valuable tools in online gambling. They can provide impartiality in crypto gambling.
Additionally, the platform can share its algorithm with the public for reviews on provably fair gambling. Such gambling aims to ensure that the casino’s random number generator is free of manipulation. Furthermore, crypto gambling makes it possible to wager and earn in crypto. This possibility is fantastic for many gamblers who wish to earn lucrative coins like Bitcoin.
Cryptocurrency also adds payment processing efficiency for gamblers. Some payment processors don’t engage with online gambling platforms. With crypto, you can transfer funds from your wallet to the casino without hitches. This utility is convenient for some who wish to bypass centralised restrictions.
Conclusion
Crypto gambling is still undergoing fundamental evolution. This industry has more growing to do. The era of physical levers gave way to efficient online gambling. Crypto gambling is the icing on the cake. Technology is always about gradual, subtle improvements and a few major ones. Crypto slot games are the embodiment of this process.
