Slots machines have been a part of the casino and gambling industry for more than a century, but how much do you actually know about these thrilling games of chance? Join us as we take a look at five interesting facts about slot machines that you (probably) didn’t know.

1. The first slot machine was invented in the late 19th century

Many of us think of slots as these loud machines with bright flashing screens, but this wasn’t always the case. This is because the first slot was invented around 1890 in America. It was a purely mechanical device and was based on poker, with players putting a nickel into the device, pulling a lever, and seeing which arrangement of cards would appear when the wheels stopped spinning. If they got a winning combination, they didn’t get any money but could claim a prize from the establishment that operated the machine.

2. All digital slots use random number generators, even the slots in a brick-and-mortar casino<

Some people are sceptical about the way random number generators (RNG) work in online slots in the UK and prefer to play slots at a casino. Unfortunately, unless you’re playing on a vintage slot machine built before the mid-1970s, the slot machine you play is likely to use some kind of random number generator to produce the game’s results. That’s right, once slots became electronic, some type of RNG system was used. So whether you’re playing at home on your mobile phone while relaxing on your couch or standing at an actual slot machine with the hustle and bustle of the casino around you, it’s still the same mechanics making the game work.   

3. Slot machines are the real money-makers for casinos

In the movies or on TV shows, you usually see gamblers betting big on games like blackjack or roulette. This might have you thinking that this is how casinos make their money. After all, if gamblers are making the biggest bets in these types of games, and lady luck isn’t looking their way, the casino must collect a pretty penny. While this may be true for the occasional bet, the games which are undoubtedly the most profitable for casinos are actually slots. 

This is because slots, despite their low odds compared to some other casino games, are by far the most popular game to play in a casino. Even if you’ve never gambled before, it’s easy for anyone to play. Simply place your bet, hit spin and see what fortune has in store for you! 

To make things clearer, let’s take a look at an analysis by the Las Vegas Review-Journal in its article “Pandemic helped drive record red-hot numbers for Nevada slot machines”. They share the following insight that’s bound to make it clear how popular “one-armed bandits” truly are:

“In the past 12 months, from April 2021 to March [2022], slot machines managed by nonrestricted licensees in Nevada generated $9.085 billion of the $14.375 billion won by casinos.” 

$9 billion out of $14 billion. Or £7.2 billion out of almost £12 billion. Even if you take the environmental factors out of the equation, you can’t really argue with the fact that slots are clearly the biggest money-makers for the casino industry.

4. Some progressive slots are connected across the entire country

A progressive jackpot is a type of jackpot prize that slowly builds up each time the game is played until some lucky player lands the right combination of symbols and walks away a millionaire. However, this prize doesn’t necessarily increase based on the people that play a specific slot machine. Often, multiple slots in a casino are connected, all contributing a percentage of people’s bets towards the amazing jackpot. 

Some games take this concept even further and don’t limit their progressive prize pool to a single casino, spreading their reach to multiple casinos across an entire country. There are many terms for this type of progressive jackpot and you may hear them referred to as network, wide-area or even global progressive jackpots.

5. The biggest win was an insane £32.5 million ($39.7 million)

Wrapping up our list of fun slot machine facts is the world’s biggest slot machine win. Many of us dream of winning big and never having to work another day in our lives, but thanks to their big slot win, one individual could live multiple lifetimes without working and still probably have some change to spare. In 2003, a software engineer spent about $100 on the Megabucks slot machine at the Excalibur Hotel-Casino on the Las Vegas Strip when much to his surprise, the winning symbols appeared, making him $39.7 million richer. 

Give our slots a spin at The Phone Casino

Now that you know all these fun slots facts, why don’t you give our online slot machines at The Phone Casino a spin and see what luck has in store for you? We have dozens of online slots covering a wide variety of genres, including ancient civilisations, mythology and nature. And if you want to spice things up a little, we also have other exciting gambling games including blackjack, roulette, video poker and more.

Register at The Phone Casino to enjoy all that our exciting slots and other casino titles have to offer.