The Top 10 Most Famous Slot Machines of All Time

Published by Brett Chatz on September 30, 2021

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Published by Brett Chatz on September 30, 2021

When you’re heading towards the neon lights and the air is filled with the haze of smoke and perfume while your senses are being overloaded with the sound of cheering and laughter, a casino is a magical place where your dreams could potentially come true at the push of a button. As a new player, it can be overwhelming when it comes down to deciding on a game to play.

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Fortunately, there are games out there that have become extremely popular since they’ve been introduced to the public. We’re not talking about table games such as Blackjack or Baccarat, as these can be a bit of a leap for new players. Most players start their gaming journey with slots machines, whether it’s in a land-based casino or part of a large online inventory, they are easy to play, easy to understand, and could potentially provide you with hours of fun.

In this segment, we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 most famous slot machines of all time. Here we’ll also be taking a closer look at what makes slot machines popular and why people gravitate towards them.

 

A Brief History of Slot Machines

 

top slots wins in history

 

Everything has a history behind it, whether it’s brief or a lengthy explanation that takes plenty of detours, it’s important to understand where we’ve come from to have a better understanding of where we’re heading. The first slot machine made its first appearance in 1887 in the form of the Poker Machine. This was developed by Sittman and Pitt, and it was a simple game that consisted of five drums and a total of 50 cards. Over time, the machine gained a lot of popularity and could easily be found in the majority of bars and it only cost a nickel to play. However, this machine didn’t pay out any cash, and prizes were usually non-monetary prizes such as beers or cigars.

 

This was also the first time that a house edge had been implemented as the Jack of hearts and the ten of spades were removed to half the odds of landing on a royal flush. Since the creation of the first slot machine, there were plenty of advancements that were made that eventually led to the invention of the first video slot in 1976. This was done by Fortune Coin, a Las Vegas-based company operating in California. This game featured a 19-inch Sony CRT television as a display and had also featured preventive measures for cheating and modification.

Fast-forward to 2021 and there are thousands of land-based and online slots available in various themes, with many of them based on popular brands, be it a tv show, film, or even celebrities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and this is what has made it so popular over time.

 

Understanding Slots

These days there’s a lot more to pay attention to when choosing a slot as there are a few factors that need to be taken into account. These factors consist of the RTP (return to player) rate, the maximum payout, the number of paylines, and the special features that it has to offer. Some slots can feature up to six different features and this includes various bonus rounds, free spins, and so on.

The RTP rate that a slot machine features will determine how you’re paid out. For example, if a slot has a high RTP rate of 99%, this means that it will have low volatility and that you can expect to see frequent payouts of low amounts. However, should it have a low RTP of 89%, you will see less frequent payouts of higher amounts.

Experienced slot players tend to lean towards low RTP rates as they’ve become accustomed to the frequency of ‘dry’ spins. Whereas high RTP games are favoured by new players as they present a sense of winning despite the wins being lower.

 

The Most Famous Slots

 

As more people started to get into their grove of playing slot machine games at their local casino, naturally they developed a particular liking to some more than others. Below you’ll find a list of some of the most famous slots ever developed in no particular order.

 

Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell slot is the first game to feature actual symbols and was developed in 1895 a few years after the first poker machine. This was a three-reel slot that featured symbols consisting of spades, horseshoes, diamonds, stars, Liberty Bells, and hearts. The maximum payout of the game was 50 cents, which was a fair amount at the time and this could only be done by lining up three of the bells on a single payline.

The actual machine featured a coin slot at the top with a lever located on the right. This machine no longer operates and has been removed from casinos; however, it deserves a spot on this list as it was the first true slot machine ever created. If you wish to take a good look at it, you can head to the Liberty Belle Saloon in Nevada, where it is currently on display.

 

Lion’s Share

When it comes to progressive jackpots, Microgaming’s Lion’s Share is an infamous slot that survived a twenty-year dry spell as no one was able to hit the jackpot. The reason for this is simple; it featured three reels and a single payline. This slot machine grew extremely popular in 2014 after various news networks have noted that the jackpot hadn’t been won; however, this quickly changed as a couple from New Hampshire managed to hit the $2.4 million jackpot at the MGM Grand.

After these events, the casino had opted to retire the machine. This is a slot machine that will forever be remembered as one of the most stubborn slots to ever exist.

 

Megabucks

Another progressive jackpot, IGT’s Megabucks is nothing like Lion’s Share as it is known to be responsible for plenty of massive wins. This slot machine is known to have paid out millions of dollars and the biggest win is said to be around $39 million to an anonymous player. Other players have hit over $20 million, some of which have done so on their first spin.

However, this is a machine that comes with a bit of controversy as it’s believed to be cursed, as there have been cases of players suffering tragic accidents our serious misfortune after winning the jackpot. While this can easily be credited as a coincidence, it does give it a sense of mystery which will ultimately end up attracting more players.

 

Wheel of Fortune

Another slot machine by IGT, Wheel of Fortune is based on the hit TV game show and it’s cemented its spot as the second most popular slot machine available today. This slot features a bonus round much like what’s found on the game show and can be enjoyed by fans in various casinos across the world. Despite there being more than one variation of the game, the most popular one is the 3-reel variation that has the colour wheel above the machine.

One of the most exciting aspects of this game is the multiplayer function that can have players enjoy the game together, especially when it comes to the bonus round. The 5-reel variation has a few symbols added, especially a wild symbol that will assist you when it comes to completing a match and a Super Wild symbol that could potentially provide you with a 5x multiplier on top of your win. There have been more variations of this game added to the lineup; however, none of them are as good as the original due to the absence of a progressive jackpot.

 

Mega Fortune

When it comes to the games that are offered by NetEnt, one thing comes to mind and that’s the sheer quality of the games that are provided. Mega Fortune features 25 paylines that are spread across 5-reels with various symbols that are linked to a handful of luxury items. However, this isn’t a game that’s played for the symbols; instead, this is a game that you get into because you’re chasing one of the most elusive progressive jackpots in casino history.

The Mega Fortune jackpot has a reputation for heading into multi-million-dollar figures before anyone can land the finishing blow to claim the Mega jackpot. Another reason why this is one of the most popular slot machine games is that it has many of the features that you’d find in a normal video slot, albeit with some extras.

 

Mega-Moolah

When you’re talking about the best that Microgaming has to offer, there’s no doubt that Mega Moolah makes the top of the list. This is a game that’s been turning ordinary people into multi-millionaires for the last decade and has continued to do so every year. This game features 25 paylines that are stretched across 5 reels and has a standard African theme. Visually there’s nothing too impressive about it and to the untrained eye, it would seem to be quite mediocre. However, this is a slot machine that has proven that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

 

Cleopatra

This Egyptian-themed slot machine was developed by IGT and features a 20 payline system with a great design and soundtrack. So, what makes it so special? Cleopatra features a wide variety of special features that are known to boost winnings and provide you with a relatively high payout despite the absence of a progressive jackpot system.

 

Quick Hit

Bally isn’t known to make the most popular games around; however, Quick Hit features great graphics and a range of special features that are easy to grasp. These features include scatter symbols that trigger up to three bonus rounds, high-paying symbols, and massive multipliers that can skyrocket your bet by up to 5,000x. This is a fantastic slot if you’re looking for something different that features great audio and visual appeal.

 

Gonzo’s Quest

 

Gonzos Quest Slot Review

 

NetEnt has done a great job with this slot game as it’s arguably one of the most popular in the world right now. Both land-based and online casino fans can’t get enough of it as it’s often featured as part of a larger bonus that allows you to link multiple wins due to the cascading reel system. Here you’ll also be able to take advantage of various multipliers that appear at the top of each reel and are capable of hitting 5x. If you’re looking for a colourful adventure with tons of special features, Gonzo’s Quest is the perfect game for you.

 

Immortal Romance

Microgaming’s Immortal Romance is on its way to becoming a cult classic in the casino industry due to the strangeness that comes with it. This game features 243 paylines and an RTP of 96.86% and this is what makes it such a desirable game. Immortal Romance comes with a range of special features such as bonus rounds that are linked to each of the characters that are present in the game. Here you’ll be able to take advantage of free spins, multipliers, and wild symbols to rack up massive wins.

Immortal Romance is also one of the best-looking slots to come out of the Microgaming portfolio. One of the reasons for its popularity is the massive multipliers that are up for grabs, which has many players try to reach it.

 

Conclusion

There are thousands of slots available at casinos all over the world, some being better than others, and some also featuring massive payouts. Slots will always be the most popular casino game due to the simplicity and the variety of available options. Despite the general appeal of table games, slots are much ‘friendlier to new players and it takes a few rounds to have a firm grasp of what’s going on.

Ultimately, the list provided includes some of the best and the most popular slots around and there will always be something for you to enjoy, regardless of the level of experience you may have.

Author : Brett Chatz

A Worldwide leading content writer for casinofy.com, Brett brings a decade of expertise in the online casino realm to his articles. Merging a deep understanding of industry trends with his writing prowess, he delivers insightful and engaging content.

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