Innovations in Slots: the Next Step in Casino Evolution

The trend is especially noticeable in the slots segment, which has evolved from mechanical machines to cutting-edge online games with VR elements. This niche is the first to demonstrate the sphere’s technological capabilities and set the vector for the development of the entire market.

Experts of the Gaminator Casino studio describe how such solutions have changed over time, and what tendencies are guiding the further growth of the vertical.

From Mechanics to Digital Technologies

The first prototype of a modern slot was created back in 1891 in Brooklyn, New York. The Sittman and Pitt company was involved in the development. The solution consisted of 5 reels with symbols in the form of card denominations. To win, users have to collect one of the poker combinations.

The product quickly gained popularity and began to be supplied at a massive scale to local bars. It is worth noting that customers initially did not receive cash prizes: a successful line could be exchanged for some kind of treat from the casino’s assortment.

The inventor of the first classic model is considered to be the auto mechanic Charles Fey. His brainchild is the iconic Liberty Bell machine, released in 1895. The device, which consisted of 3 reels with the images of cards and bells, could automatically issue cash prizes.

A bet of 5 cents was required to participate in the session. The largest winning amount was 50 cents and was paid out when a line of 3 bells was formed. In 1902, slot machines were banned because the prizes received were not taxed. The entertainment did not disappear but was modified.

Instead of card symbols and bells, manufacturers began to use pictures of fruits and BAR icons. To get a successful combo, clients received chewing gum, candies, and other sweets, not coins. It was because of the new visual that mechanical devices began to be called fruit-themed units.

The first development was released by Bally in 1964. The reels of the Money Honey game were powered by electricity, and to start them, it was necessary to pull the side lever.

Another innovation from the brand is an enlarged compartment for cash, thanks to which casino visitors could count on a reward of up to 500 coins.

The first video slot is a project of the Fortune Coin studio, launched in 1976. A Sony colour TV on which the reels were displayed was added.

iGaming sites began to appear in the 1990s, almost immediately after the advent of the Internet. Every year, technologies have improved and continue to become more complex. As a result, modern users have a huge variety of offers.

A high-performance platform can provide the audience with the following elements:

• fruit-themed products and slots with exciting plots;
• arcades;
• card and table entertainment;
• sessions with live dealers;
• crash content, and much more.

Modern Capabilities of Virtual Slot Machines

Technological breakthroughs are expanding the boundaries of achievable possibilities every day in all areas of human activity. The dynamics of transformation are especially noticeable here. User expectations are also growing in parallel with new mechanics and functionality.

Today, clients have access to offers in formats that recently seemed fantastic:

Products with AR and VR Elements

Augmented and virtual reality is one of the most exciting growth directions in the industry. The technology is gradually replacing options with 3D effects and provides a much greater depth of immersion.

Similar developments are already in the catalogues of several flagships, such as Microgaming, EGT, and Endorphina. Experts predict that with the reduction in the cost of peripheral device production, the VR niche will become the new standard for all types of online casino entertainment.

AI-Based Solutions

Artificial intelligence is radically changing the usual gameplay and ways of interacting with the audience.

Generative services already allow operators to analyse any behavioural reactions in real-time and provide personalised feedback, guaranteeing an exceptional experience.

Once AI gets new capacities, the industry will receive a unique tool that entrepreneurs can use to create exclusive offers for each client.

Blockchain-Based Casino Platforms

Decentralised technologies have several advantages for both players and business owners. These services have long been key factors in ensuring the transparency and security of bets.

Larger-scale implementation of distributed ledger gives the gambling niche the following significant benefits:

• improved level of protection with a minimal risk of fraud;
• customer anonymity guarantees;
• increased transparency of financial and administrative operations;
• reduced transaction time;
• availability of entertainment in any corner of the world.

Mobile Casinos

According to a report by the Newzoo analytical agency, about 50% of the entire market is accounted for by games designed for personal devices. In 2022, the sector’s turnover reached a record high $91.8 billion.

Reasons for the mass distribution and popularisation of mobile content:

• convenience and accessibility;
• high level of functionality;
• synchronisation with a full range of mobile services, such as payment systems, social networks, etc.;
• improved interface and advanced graphics;
• a large selection of personalised products.

Mobile casinos have not only become an alternative to traditional establishments of this kind but are also gradually transforming into an independent segment.

Improved Gamification

Modern slot machines are increasingly complemented by various social features that allow customers to communicate with each other.

Among the most in-demand offers, there are:

• multiplayer competitions;
• tournament tables and ratings;
• options for publishing session results on personal accounts on the Internet.

Despite the high need for social interaction, the personalisation trend remains as stable as possible.

To meet this demand, fans of the placement of bets are offered:

• exclusive avatars;
• character upgrading;
• various background settings in live games;
• the option to change the host, and much more.

Slot Machines of the Future: How the Industry May Change

The online casino market is in the process of a profound transformation.

The most promising trends of the coming years are the following:

Digital Slots and NFT

Non-fungible digital tokens are a unique multi-tasking tool that can act as a currency for bets and a reward.

Such solutions have not yet made their way to the masses but the technology has already found application in loyalty programs and personalisation of bonuses. NFT services also make a significant contribution to security. They can be implemented in self-exclusion protocols and improve algorithms to react to behavioural abnormalities.

Telegram Casino

A mobile messenger with a colossal reach of 700 million active monthly users is an excellent platform for launching slots.

The main advantage of the product compared to classic iGaming resources is a simple intuitive interface. It takes a few seconds from registering on the website to start placing bets.

Such projects are rapidly gaining popularity. They can work as an addition to a classic portal or as a completely autonomous and unique digital establishment.

Casino Metaverse

This is a revolutionary three-dimensional environment that allows clients to interact both with slots and surrounding objects.

The innovative concept is capable of completely transforming the traditional industry, turning each of the typical platforms into a completely unique world, the design of which depends only on the imagination of designers.

The synergy of such technologies as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality has already brought the casino metaverse to an unachievable level.

With the expansion of Web3 capabilities, services of this kind will completely replace typical virtual portals. According to preliminary forecasts by McKinsey, by 2030, the total value of the betting metaverse will exceed $5 trillion.

Cloud Technologies

With the development of online servers, digital machines will become independent of the hardware. The growth of computing resources will allow a complete transition to cloud tools using only a small terminal or a personal gadget to access slots.

Benefits of applying remote pages in the iGaming sphere:

• reduction of the period required to complete any operational task;
• significant increase in the productivity of slot machines;
• access to more complex and large-scale products, the creation of which was previously limited by hardware resources.

IoT

The Internet of Things is one of the most exciting and promising areas of development of casino technologies.

This is a global concept that implies that each gadget with an Internet connection will be able to interact with others, forming a single virtual IoT network. In this way, it is planned to improve data exchange and optimise all key processes of a customer’s daily life.

In the virtual slots segment, the technology is expected to allow clients to have a unique experience even before their first visit to the website. Sending a request to any of the users' network devices will be enough to get a full list of their habits and preferences.

Responsible Gaming

Regulatory authorities in leading jurisdictions are taking an increasingly strict and decisive position regarding entertainment for money and its marketing promotion. Operators need to post information about the mechanisms for regulating players’ activity and a reminder about the risks related to ludomania on their portals.

Despite the lack of a unified approach to security standards in the sector, owners of casino projects are actively engaged in organising a transparent betting environment with an emphasis on the most conscious behaviour. The trend promises to be long-term and determine the future of the industry.

The Main Things about the Evolution of Slots

Gambling products have come a long way, from bulky devices to complex digital products generated by artificial intelligence.

There are several trends that will affect the transformation of the niche in the coming years:

• Casino metaverse. This sphere has every chance of displacing traditional virtual platforms. Users will be able to deal not only with machines but also with surrounding objects, receiving a profound personalised experience.
• Internet of Things. This innovative concept allows operators to create exclusive offers by collecting data on customers' preferences and behaviour from each of their gadgets connected to the Web.
• Cloud-based interaction. Connection via remote servers will greatly speed up the loading time of machines and increase their performance. Players will have an opportunity to launch products of any scale, regardless of the technical characteristics and power of their devices.

You can learn more about the latest trends and order the development of a turnkey platform from the Gaminator Casino studio.