A Brief History of Online Slots

The online pokies that everyone loves to play has a very long and extensive history. For example, did you know that the some of the first slot machines didn't award cash prizes directly? Keep reading and you'll find out just what they did give players. If you can't wait, here's a hint - think about what's common to see on a slot reel.

The history of slot machines originated in the tail end of the 1800s. Charles Fey of San Francisco, California, U.S. Was the first man to invent an actual pokies machine. The exact date isn't know when he did, thus the general date is given.

Charles Fey simplified the payout system that was originally meant to be based completely off of poker. The payout system consisted of simply matching one of five symbols - diamonds, spades, hearts, horseshoes and, of course, Liberty Bells.

It was a little bit later, when variations of the original slot machines started to spread that slot machines gained a few familiar traits and became more like what is played online today. Some unhappy players who had lost all of their savings in slot machines ended up giving them the nickname "One Armed Bandits." It's also around this time that fruit was introduced to the reels and gum was given out as a prize.

Slot machines changed a little bit from back then. Instead of just matching the center row, now some have many more matching options and even more reels. Slot machines gained a heavy enough following in casinos to be one of the first online casino games introduced. The first company that maintained an online casino, Microgaming, was also the first company that had free online slots.

The beauty of this new online era was the fact that people realized they didn't have to pay to play; they could play free pokies just by making their own slot machine game. Now people from all over the world can enjoy free slots to their heart's content.