Slot machines: a game with history

Did you know that the precursor game machine of today's slots was based on poker? Texas Holdem fever prompted Sittman and Pitt of New York to develop a machine for this card game fans in 1891. This machine had five reels with a total of 50 faces of cards. Players could win prizes such as free drinks, tobacco and different types of products.

A few years later, in 1895, Charles August Fey manufactured in San Francisco the first slot machine that allowed cash payments. Replaced the five existing reels with three, as well as the cards with five symbols: hearts, diamonds, spades, horseshoes and a liberty bell. The highest payment was given by three bell symbols, so the machine was named Liberty Bell. As Fey did not apply for a patent for its design, it was copied by many other manufacturers.

In 1902 slot machines were banned in the United States, so the era of fruit machines began with Herbert Mills and his Operator Bell. In these machines the symbols were fruits and the prizes were paid in gum and sweets of the corresponding flavor. At this time, the Bell-Fruit Gum Company added its own symbol, the well-known BAR.

One reason why slot machines were so successful was the lever. This manual approach gave players the feeling of being able to control the game. So it was for it that the nickname "the one-armed bandit" was born.

Thus, for many years slot machines remained purely mechanical but it was in 1964 that Bally launched the first fully electromechanical slot: Money Honey.

Later, in 1976, Fortune Coin created the first video slots. Over the years the lever was no longer included as it was not necessary for its operation. In 1996 Reel'Em In was released by WMS Industries: the first video slot with a second bonus screen.

During these years, slot machines became increasingly popular in casinos, and Las Vegas became a global benchmark for these machines as well as gambling in general. As for Spain, the expansion of slot machines was curbed by the Franco dictatorship. During this period, only bet on the pools, ONCE coupons and equestrian races were allowed. It was then in 1977 that the game was legalized in this country and slot machines became popular in bars and cafes.

It was at this moment that our project was born: Eurogame 

We have been offering all kinds of recreational machines for the most demanding players for over 40 years. We saw in the lifting of the ban an opportunity to meet the demand for recreational machines both in hospitality and other establishments. Today, we continue to work to provide you with the best solutions for your business. Consult our catalogue of B-type machines and do not hesitate to contact us.