These slot games were operated by a lever (this is why they’re called one-armed bandits) and featured bigger pay-outs of up to 500 coins. Mechanical slots were eventually replaced by electromechanical variants in the 1960s such as the Money Honey. John Lighton’s 3 for 1 slot is a prime example.
Mercifully, these primitive machines were superseded by a raft of new mechanical slots in the early 20 th century that offered more sophisticated methods of accepting coins and dispensing prizes. Known as trade simulators, these clumsy contraptions dispensed fruit-flavoured chewing gum – hence why cherry and melon symbols still decorate slot reels today.
Online slots can be traced back to the late 19 th century and derive from mechanical countertop machines once used at US grocery stores.
