Slot machines are the most popular casino game in the world, both at land-based casinos and on Internet gambling sites. This article reveals some little-known facts about online slot machines.
Generally, slot machines account for about 70% of an online casino’s income.
The main categories of online slot machines include classic 3-reel slots, video slots, fruit machines, and progressive slots.
Classic 3-reel slots are computerized versions of the slot machines that were invented by Charles Fey in 1887.
Classic 3-reel slots are perfect games for the beginning slots player because of their easy and straightforward format.
Video slots are modern 5-reel slot machines. Many of the newer video slots games have bonus features, such as free spins.
Fruit machines, also known as Amusement with Prizes games, are UK-style slot machines. They are very common in British pubs.
Online progressive slots accumulate deposits from their players from a number of online casinos to create jackpots that grow by the minute.
Online progressive slots can be 3-reel or 5-reel, have bonus features, and have multiple pay-lines. For example, Major Millions was a 3-reel, 3 pay-line slot game when it was first launched. Now there is also a 5-reel, 15 pay-line version.
Cash Splash was the first online progressive jackpot. It was launched in 1998 by Microgaming software.
Slot Demo Mega Millions, a Microgaming progressive slot machine, is the only progressive jackpot that has ever paid out jackpots exceeding $1,000,000.
There are now over 150 companies that provide software solutions for online gambling casinos.
The major software providers for the online gambling industry include Microgaming, Playtech, Realtime Gaming, Boss Media, Rival, Vegas Technology, Parlay, and Cryptologic.
Microgaming developed the first “genuine” online casino software in 1994. Cryptologic and Boss Media were established in 1996, Parlay and Realtime Gaming were launched in 1998, Playtech was founded in 1999, Vegas Technology was established in 2005, and Rival was launched in 2006.
The majority of online slot machines have a unique theme, such as success and old money, secret potions and jewels, Indians and squaws, bees and honey, pirates and ships, hillbillies, American diners, science fiction, chocolate, Las Vegas showgirls, witches, romance, mythology, and Christmas.