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Innovations in the Design of European Slot Machines
The origins of slot machines can be traced back to 1891 when Sittman and Pitt in Brooklyn, New York, first introduced a drum design of a machine with 50 cards. The father of all slots is known as Mr. Charles Fey from San Francisco, California. His “Liberty Bell” was the first slot design that came somewhat in a way as we know it today. “Liberty Bell” had three reels and offered payouts based on an automatic payout system with wins up to 50 Cents. Slots have certainly come a long way since then. Now they can even be played in a casino online mobile.
It took several years before those slot machines jumped across the big pond to Europe. For example, the first notable appearance in Germany happened around the 20th century in an eastern German city called Leipzig. “Bajazzo” was its name, and it was manufactured by Jentzsch & Meerz. Just like in America, it became increasingly popular all over Germany. After the Second World War, more and more European manufacturers appeared, and ever more new design concepts were introduced. Today, we would like to take a closer look at those developments in Europe.
Land-based European Slots
Slot machines existed long before the internet. Early one-armed bandits like “Liberty Bell” even awarded food instead of money as prizes. Land-based machines got bigger and heavier and came in sizes as big as closets. But they didn’t just change in size. They also changed inside and out. From early on, loud machines whose spins had to be started using the pure force of muscles to neatly quiet slots that can be started and operated by pushing a small button.
One-armed Bandit Is the Father of All Slot Machines
Just like in America, in Europe, it also started all with the so-called one-armed bandits. Those slots came in every way in a simple design and didn’t require any knowledge. Some of them had just three reels without any rows underneath them. A classic mechanical design of European slot machines can be seen with the Merkur B from Paul Gauselmann. It is a typical European slot of those early stages, where coins must be inserted, and every spin starts automatically.
The Changes in Design
As microprocessors and software became widely available, manufacturers had a new tool at their hands to design games targeting all different types of gamers. Certain randomness to each result of all spins could now be adjusted. In the 1980s, electronic slots that were controlled by microprocessors became the new standard. Microprocessors controlled all motors and the entire functionality of those machines. Their design changed then rather dramatically. Those five reels plus three rows became new superstars in European casinos and gambling locations.
The Rise of the Internet Made Online Slots Available
In the 1990s the first online casino showed up and along came online games. A virtual machine played entirely online was a revolutionary design back then. Online slots typically had a higher payout rate and some interesting features. Especially in the graphics, they were much more appealing to players than their land-based counterparts.
European Manufacturers of Online Slots Started Transforming Their Land-based Machines
In Europe, manufacturers soon realized the potential of online slots. Therefore, they started by bringing their most successful land-based games online. Classic hits like Book of Ra from Novomatic’s brand Novoline and many more appeared in more sophisticated designs. Most notably, particularities like bonus features, graphics, sound effects, and different reel and row designs characterized European-made machines.
Today there are many more manufacturers around compared to 20 or 30 years ago. After classic land-based brands moved their games to the web, new companies started to appear on the horizon. Nowadays, new designs are showing up pretty much every week. European online slots come with five reels, three reels, six reels, or no reels at all. They have three rows, five rows, ten rows, or none. The creativity of European developers is endless, and that is what players love about their games.
The Design of Slots Will Continue to Change
The story, of course, doesn’t end here. The slot design is a constantly evolving process, influenced by advancements in technology, changing player preferences, and the competitive landscape of the gaming industry. The industry is likely to continue exploring new possibilities to create more immersive, entertaining, and socially engaging experiences for players while upholding responsible gaming practices.
European developers are already working on the next stage designs of slot machines for both online and offline markets. 3D and Virtual Reality is more than just an experiment; as players, we can only look forward with excitement to whatever European developers are preparing for us.
Latest News
Scientific Games Campaigns for Seventh Holiday Season to Promote Responsible Gifting of Lottery Games
Company Raises Awareness for NCPG’s Annual Gift Responsibly Message
Scientific Games continues to promote responsible gaming worldwide, joining the National Council on Problem Gambling’s annual Gift Responsibly holiday campaign for the seventh consecutive year. Through this initiative, the world’s largest provider of lottery games underscores the NCPG’s important message that lottery games are not intended for children. Scientific Games joins lotteries in Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and U.S. in the 2024 Gift Responsibly campaign, helping raise awareness about the risks of gifting lottery games to minors during the holidays.
Jim Schultz, Executive Vice President, Global Legal & Public Policy, said, “Scientific Games is committed to educating all stakeholders about what it means to practice Healthy Play. This includes empowering consumers with the knowledge to make informed choices by keeping lottery games out of children’s hands through our ongoing support of NCPG’s Gift Responsibly campaign. Lottery games make great gifts for adults, but not for kids. Through the continued efforts of our VP of Responsible Gaming Carla Schaefer, it’s all part of our goal to help educate.”
Scientific Games champions responsible gaming education year-round through its award-winning Healthy Play program. The program equips lotteries with science-based tools, insights and best practices to inform all stakeholders about the healthy enjoyment of lottery games, including understanding appropriate age guidelines for lottery play.
As the first lottery supplier to support the NCPG’s Gift Responsibly campaign, and one of the first suppliers to attain global certification as a Responsible Gaming Supplier from the World Lottery Association, Scientific Games is at the forefront of the industry’s responsible gaming efforts. Since then, the Healthy Play program has been recognized with multiple Communitas Awards, including the 2023 Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility, further solidifying the company’s continuing role as a steward of responsible gaming.
Scientific Games is the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery instant games and a leader in lottery technology, sports betting systems, digital lottery games, mobile apps, and player loyalty programs.
Healthy Play™ is a trademark of Scientific Games. ©2023 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
eSports
Red Bull Media House Announces Global Premiere of Counter-Strike Documentary ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’
- Emmy Award-winning Red Bull Media House-produced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) documentary is set to premiere on 4 December
- ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ features personal insights from legendary talent, including Casper “cadiaN” Møller, Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, Alexandre “gAuLeS” Borba and more
- Fans can tune in via Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube channel
Red Bull’s deep dive into the glory years of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) continues with the announcement of ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’, a brand new documentary set to premiere globally on 4 December 2024.
Produced by Emmy Award-winning Red Bull Media House, the new feature-length film closely follows 2024’s ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Early Years’, which charted the origins of one of the world’s most influential games from its grassroots beginnings to its evolution as a global esports phenomenon. Continuing the saga, ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ chronicles an emotional journey from the perspective of its key protagonists, recalling the thrilling rise of Team Liquid as Team Astralis’ reign falls, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the way to Team Vitality’s victory at the last-ever CS:GO Major.
Hosted by Freya “Freya” Spiers, the brand new 90-minute film features personal accounts from iconic figures including Astralis’ trio of Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, Casper “cadiaN” Møller, Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, as well as Team Liquid’s Jonathan “Elige” Jablonowski and Jordan “n0thing” Gilbert. As it explores fierce rivalries, pivotal roster changes that changed the course of CS:GO history, and the perseverance, teamwork and passion that forged the game’s legends, ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ also delves into the fierce dedication of the Brazilian community with Alexandre “gAuLeS” Borba and Wilton “zews” Prado, looking back at Brazil’s first-ever Major.
‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’ is a sweeping tale of toil, triumph, and teamwork that offers an insightful look into the remarkable trajectory of CS:GO and the unwavering support and dedication of its community. It’s scheduled to premiere December 4, 2024 via Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube channel.
Event Details:
- What: Premiere of “Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years”
- When: December 4th, 2024
- Where to watch: Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube Channel
The Portuguese head coach signs a two-year deal to guide GIANTX in Europe’s top esports league and aim for the Worlds. Guilhoto embarks on his third tenure with the organization and returns to the LEC after reaching two finals.
Nico Perez and Emi complete the coaching staff
André Guilhoto will be the head coach of GIANTX in the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), Europe’s premier esports league. Guilhoto returns to the organization to replace Christophe ‘Kaas’ van Oudheusden and lead its League of Legends international project. His goal is to qualify the team for the Worlds. He has signed a two-year contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Guilhoto (Portugal, 1994) returns to both GIANTX and the LEC. Between 2018 and 2020, he coached several teams in the European league, including reaching two finals with Schalke 04 and Origen. He entered the European scene after winning the Spanish league with GIANTX, then known as Giants Gaming.
After his time in the LEC, he coached in North America with Immortals and Team Liquid. In 2023, he returned to Málaga to work with Giants, which later merged with British club Excel to form GIANTX. In 2024, he coached in the Superliga with CASE Esports and Team Heretics, where he won the Spanish championship.
Guilhoto is one of the most experienced head coaches in the scene and a well-known figure within the Spanish-speaking League of Legends community. GIANTX announced his return with a video confirming his new role as head coach.
GIANTX looks to Guilhoto to improve its results in the LEC. The team finished eighth in the winter and spring splits and reached the summer season finals, but missed out on qualifying for the Worlds. The organization aims to achieve this goal with Guilhoto leading the coaching staff.
Joining Guilhoto in Berlin, the home of the LEC, are assistant coach Nico Perez (France, 1998) and strategic coach Emanuel Ursachi ‘Emi’ (Romania, 1995). Nico spent the last year with GIANTX, first as head coach in the Superliga and then as assistant coach in the LEC. Emi, now in his second tenure with the company, will serve as the strategic coach.
The LEC season begins on January 18, 2025. GIANTX will announce the roster under Guilhoto’s leadership in the coming days.
Scientific Games Campaigns for Seventh Holiday Season to Promote Responsible Gifting of Lottery Games
Red Bull Media House Announces Global Premiere of Counter-Strike Documentary ‘Memories of CS:GO – The Final Years’
Guilhoto to lead GIANTX in the LEC
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