The History of Slot Machines

Draw Poker Machine

Jan 1, 1901

Charles Fey invented the first draw poker machine.

The Knock-Off

Jan 1, 1907

Herbert Mills began to make a knock-off slot machine of Fey's Liberty Bell, the Operator Bell.

First Popular Electric Gambling Machine

Jan 1, 1934

PACES RACES became the first popular electric gambling machine.

First All-Electronic Gambling Machine

Jan 1, 1964

Nevada Electronic built the first all-electronic gambling machine, the "21" machine.

First Electronic Slot Machine

Jan 1, 1975

Fortune Coin Company built the first electronic slot machine.

First Slot Machine

Jan 1, 1985

Charles Fey invented the first mechanical slot machine, the Liberty Bell.

Electronic Systems

Jan 1, 1986

Electronic systems were introduced to link numerous slot machines in different locations which allowed a fraction of each inserted coin to go into a shared “super jackpot” and possibly reach an extremely large size before it is won.