The technology behind slots has constantly evolved from the original slot machines that would dispense fruit-flavored gum as a reward to the incredible graphics of online slot games today. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not so much.
These evolutions have occurred as technology has advanced and gambling has become a more common pastime for people all around the globe. With increased research and development, today’s slots offer some of the most entertaining ways to gamble.
Like everything, however, this continued innovation hasn’t ended. Rather, it is ongoing and slowly shaping what future slots will look like. Some of the most significant changes aren’t just online but can be seen in the physical slots found in the best casinos.
Types of Changes
Before we delve into how slot technology is changing, it is essential to note that there are two different areas in which these evolutions are occurring. The first is the back end (what happens behind the scenes) and refers to the systems and controls that operate the slot.
The second and more noticeable changes are at the front end (or end-user) level. These have to do with the appearance of the slots and how you, as a gambler, interact with them.
Let’s first look at the back end and the significant changes occurring there.
Management Systems
A casino management system like IGT Advantage is the backbone of any gambling establishment. It ensures that all machines communicate with a central server that tracks wins, losses, player spending habits, and even how many times a player places a bet.
The first patent for such a system in the US was filed in 2008, although it is believed that similar systems were already being used long before this. Since then, systems such as this (called CMSs) have become the standard in any casino—whether online or brick-and-mortar.
With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), these systems are being adapted to rely more on data mining and specific algorithms. These have begun tracking not just who is playing and how much they’re spending but how quickly they respin, what games they’re playing, and even what time games are most often played.
All this information is fed into an AI that creates patterns for each gambler. From here, the system knows what games to recommend based on the player’s likes, when to send out advertising that will most likely get the gamer online, and even what bonuses might entice a player to gamble more.
Blockchain
Blockchains are primarily known for their use in cryptocurrencies. However, they serve another purpose for casinos: they can act as a replacement for random number generators (RNGs).
The first RNG, dating back to 1951, was used chiefly to generate random numbers. However, modern slot machines quickly adopted the technology to ensure that the outcome of a spin is always entirely random and unpredictable.
Likewise, a blockchain can churn out random numbers that can be used to determine spin results. This is done by using a private key and seed (dictated by the blockchain) to generate the random number.
Blockchains are more secure than traditional RNGs and have the added benefit of issuing a ‘proof’ with each random outcome. In the case of a disputed win, this can be used to confirm that the outcome of a winning spin was genuinely unexpected.
Now let’s look at what’s changing on the front end.
Virtual Reality
A list of evolutions in slot technology would be amiss if it didn’t mention advances in VR (virtual reality). Over the last decade, VR has exploded, with the technology becoming more mainstream and more easily accessible—even at home.
Many slot developers are taking advantage of this by creating spectacularly immersive games that offer graphics and sounds that are out of this world. These games provide a new way to experience gambling and have proven incredibly popular. However, they have yet to go viral, and further advancements in this area are still being made.
Mobile Revolution
With 86.29% of the world’s population owning smartphones, these small devices have become integral to our daily lives. As such, many things we used to do on a PC or in a defined location have been moved to the palm of our hands.
Slots are no different. Developers are working harder than ever to ensure that new games are fully compatible with mobile devices; some are even adapting their old games to make them work.
More than this, many online casinos are explicitly dedicated to mobile gambling. These casinos exclusively offer games primed for mobile use and usually give access to the newest and greatest slots on the market—like those found on Slotsource.co.uk.
Machine Footprint
It is not only in the mobile sphere that things are changing, however. Physical casinos are also experiencing adaption to slot machines to make them sleeker, more engaging, and fit to offer more entertainment.
These changes take the form of smaller cabinets to hold the slot and, in some cases, things like mood lighting—in addition to all the regular flashing lights. Alongside this are more prominent, clearer, and brighter displays that make the graphics look so real you could touch them.
Lastly, there is the sound that a slot emits. Exciting music, jingles, and tones bring a slot together and make players genuinely feel the experience and thrill of the game. As such, upgraded speakers and better-quality amplifiers are being added to all new slot machines to make them more engaging than ever.
Conclusion
Advancements in slot technology lead to more entertaining and thrilling games for gamblers to enjoy. Thankfully, all the changes currently underway will also lead to fairer and more stable games.
As an end user playing the slot, these changes are welcome as long as they keep improving how these games can be enjoyed and continue offering fantastic ways to win cash.
