Today, slot machines generate over 70% of all casino revenue worldwide, dominating the floors with massive screens and loud music.
Tracing the history of these machines reveals exactly how the modern gambling industry was built.
The story begins in 1894 in San Francisco, when a mechanic named Charles Fey invented a machine called the Liberty Bell.
The machine was a massive hit, and because Fey refused to sell his patent, competitors quickly began copying the three-reel design.
The entire industry changed in 1976 when a Las Vegas company called Fortune Coin introduced the very first video slot machine.
In the late 1990s, the internet boom allowed these advanced video games to transition seamlessly into the first online casinos.
Today, the slot machine continues to evolve, incorporating elements of mobile gaming and virtual reality to attract younger audiences.
