Slot machines have undergone many changes since Fey’s original creation, and one significant change was the addition of two more reels. The modifications made it possible for Fey to create an automatic payout thus kickstarting the slot machine play era at casinos. Instead, people could win drinks or cigars offered by the establishment when they landed winning hands during their play.įey simplified the machine at casinos by using three reels instead of five drums, and by reducing the 50 game icons to five symbols instead. Fey’s invention was essentially an improvement on the poker gambling machine, which was too complicated to be able to offer patrons automated money payouts. Before 5-reel slots came into existence, and well before they became accessible online at casinos, there were only 3-reel slot machines available at casinos-that’s what San Francisco resident Charles Fey invented towards the end of the 19th century.
