The online casino industry is growing at a rapid pace alongside the boom the gaming market. But how have mobile slots gotten to be so popular? And how does the history of slots come into play? In this article we’ll take you through all you need to know about the exciting evolution of online slots. Read on to find out more. The history of slots Do you love playing slot machines? Well that’s thanks to a car mechanic called Charles Fey who in 1895 created the first mechanical slot in San Francisco. Known as the Liberty Bell, this slot machine had three spinning reels, with heart, spade and diamond symbols painted around each reel as well as an image of a cracked Liberty Bell. This machine can still be seen in Reno, Nevada at the aptly named Liberty Belle Saloon. But the Liberty Bell wasn’t the only slot machine that Charles Fey invented. Other machines of his included the Draw Power, Three Spindle and Klondike. Fey began to rent out his machines to bars and saloons, splitting the profit 50/50. From there, the slot machine continued to grow in popularity; the demand for Liberty Bells was massive and Fey couldn’t keep up despite refusing to sell to manufacturing and distribution rights to casino supply manufacturers. In 1907, a Chicago manufacturer of arcade machines called Herbert Mills created a knock-off of the Liberty Bell which they called the Operator Bell. It was Mills who placed fruit symbols on the machines — the ones we all recognize today. Electronic machines The era of electric casino machines was the next big step towards the mobile slots we know and love today. It was in 1975 that the first electronic slot machine was created by the Fortune Coin Company. Although electric casino machines had actually become popular since 1934 when the animated horse race machine — PACES RACES — was invented. Electronic machines definitely changed the game when it came to casino games; but for those who love them, the best was still to come. The internet boom and online gaming It was the internet boom of the 1990s that really changed the world. Almost every industry was effected by the internet, and this of course includes casinos and gaming. As computers and the internet took the world by storm, the first online casinos were introduced. While in 1996 there were only fifteen online casinos, there were 200 websites offering online casino games by the following year. As the industry boomed, so did the interest from investors and those wishing to build and develop online gaming companies. More developers were hired and the software behind the games, including online slots, became more and more sophisticated. Many more countries made online casinos legal, which helped fuel the surge in players. Why are mobile slots so popular? This is due, in large part, by how fun they are to play — and just how sophisticated the technology has gotten over the years. There is continued investment in making the games even better, which is why some of the best animations, graphics and sound are now available as part of slots experiences. Some gaming companies are looking towards the most exciting new technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, which would bring the atmosphere or elements of a casino into your home. But one of the biggest reasons that mobile slots have become so popular is due to the rise in mobile device ownership. More people than ever own a smartphone, covering all demographics and locations, with more than three billion smartphone users worldwide, a number that continues to rise over the years. The convenience of being able to play online slots and other casino games on a smartphone means that more people are getting into games like mobile slots. If you’re on the go, at a friend’s house or even just hanging out on the couch, you can enjoy slot machine games. There are other huge benefits to playing mobile slots, which include the privacy aspect and not having to spend money going to your local casino. And of course, online casinos make setting up an account and depositing money online so easy to do. They also offer a variety of bonuses to encourage customers to stay loyal to their brand. A further reason why mobile slots are so popular? They’re easy to play. Unlike other casino games like poker, anyone can play mobile slots as there’s no skills required. This is why many people try mobile slots as their first casino game, as you don’t have to be good at them to have a chance at winning. Lastly, mobile slots are just a great form of entertainment. Game companies are always coming up with new and exciting themes, so there’s a mobile slots game out there for everyone. Whether it’s popular culture, movies, music or a historical theme, there’s a huge variety to choose from.