The continuing popularity of slot machines is remarkable and shows that sometimes the simplest approach is best when it comes to gaming. The combination of colorful symbols and easy to follow instructions has been keeping players amused for more than a century - and thanks to online casinos, slots are still extremely popular.

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But can that popularity be sustained in the fast-moving world of mobile technology where there are more options than ever before to keep users entertained on their devices?

Simple concept

First developed in the USA before being exported to Europe and beyond, physical slot machines have changed very little from the original concept of spinning reels to find matching sets of symbols. When slots moved to the digital and then the online world, the complexity and design of the machines underwent a more dramatic change, but the basic idea and gameplay still remain the same.

Same game, different names

Slot machines have been referred to by many different names over the years. In most of the United Kingdom, they became known as "fruit machines" thanks to the fruit-based symbols that were popular in the earlier physical machines. The exception was in Scotland where the slot machine became more commonly known as a "puggy". In Canada, they became known as "the slots", while in Australia and New Zealand, the name "pokies" was derived from the longer term "poker machines".

Online slot revolution

The move to an online platform brought about the biggest change in how slot machines work. Themes became more complex and developers began integrating more bonus features and mini-games, while the most prominent slots makers started teaming up with well-known franchises for the release of officially licensed titles. The games also became available to a worldwide audience, and online casinos began offering bonuses to new players. This is part of a general integration of slots titles with larger online casino suites, where players could also access other casino games plus bingo, poker, and sportsbooks. To help punters in different countries find the best sites, companies began building sites dedicated to helping players find the best sites available to play in their geographical location. For example, a pokie player in New Zealand can simply click here for more detailed information about the best sites and bonuses in their region.

What's next for online slots?

Despite the simplicity of slot machines and the success of the concept, developers understand that slot machines still need to move with the times. The internet has brought the world of video gaming and casino gaming closer than ever before. And as these two curves meet, slot machine gaming is set to become more skills-based, particularly in relation to bonus levels. This means that players will have a greater influence over the outcome, making the games much more interactive. This could be vital in grabbing the attention of millennials who have a shorter attention span than previous generations due to the fast-moving tech-based world in which they operate.

Other possible developments

Other changes we could see soon include the addition of virtual reality arcades and casinos and the closer alignment of sportsbooks (which are very popular with the younger generation) with casino suites. Online and mobile slots may also integrate voice control technology which is already widely used in other sectors of online services. 

"Woman Wearing White Virtual Reality Gogg" (CC BY 2.0) by Homedust

Whatever happens, there is still a place for slot machines in the gaming future, as a simple concept that has stood the test of time and still attracts a huge number of players today.