In 1981 the 1st slot machine was designed by Pitt and Sittman that had 5 drums that would display poker hands. There was no payback button so places in New York who bought these usually gave players free drinks as prizes. Online slots only came later about 1 century later.
Later on came Charles Fey who made the 'Liberty Bell" in the basement of his home, the first slot machine. The machines weren't successful until they were put in the Flamingo Hilton Hotel in the Vegas Strip.
The first slot machine which was made out of cast iron and was over 100 pounds was completely different to what we have today. Instead of the fruit symbols which we associate slot machines with, he used star and horseshoe symbols and the different suits of cards. The Liberty Bell paid out 50 cents to its lucky winners.
In the Liberty Belle Saloon & Restaurant the first Liberty Bell slot machine can still be viewed in Reno, Nevada which is now owned by his grandchildren. Charles Fey also introduced other machines which include: the Three Spinde, the Draw Poker and the Klondike.
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