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The History of Online Slots

Looking to learn where online slots and free slots started? Below is a snapshot of how slots have evolved over the last few decades.

1990s

Online casinos first cropped up in the 1990s as computers and the internet became fully accessible. With them, came the very first online slots. The initial games created were made to match the machines found at top Las Vegas casinos. Casino.org launched in 1995 and has been monitoring the slots industry ever since.

2000-2005

During this time, multiple online casinos and software providers began to establish themselves. The mid-2000s was also around the time that mobile phones met the requirements to make online gaming possible. Double Magic was released in 2004 by Microgaming and was one of the first mobile-compatible games.

2005-2010

Iconic slots like Mega Moolah and Tomb Raider were developed in the late 2000s. And by 2009, the game Burning Desire was created – the first ever 249 ways to win online slot game. This period was a big boom for online slots!

2010s

Immersive slots like Gonzo's Quest started to pop up in the 2010s. Mobile gaming also expanded – providers like Microgaming, NetEnt, and Novomatic were all now creating mobile-friendly slots. Not to mention, cryptocurrency boomed and dedicated crypto slot games were created.

Present Day

In the present day, online slots are now commonplace with thousands of games on offer. Nobody knows what the future of online slots might hold – there's been lots of discussion in the industry around VR slots, but we're sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Playing Free Mobile Slots

Almost all of our top-rated free online slots are also suitable for mobile play, whether that be with iPhone, iPad or Android devices. Setting up on your mobile couldn't be simpler, as these games are developed with mobile users in mind. You can choose to download a free slots app, or if you prefer you can access a mobile casino in your browser and play as you would do on a desktop computer.

When Should I Start Playing Slots for Real Money?

If you're ready to make the leap from free games to real money slots, there are a few things you'll need to consider:

  1. Selecting Your Perfect Casino Online: The internet is awash with online casinos, but finding a trustworthy and reputable one can be harder than it seems. If you're not sure where to start, make sure you check out our list of recommended sites and casino reviews.
  2. Reading Up on Bonuses: Often online casinos offer a generous bonus package, particularly if you're a new player. So, make sure you read up on the best offers available to you to make sure you take advantage of the most lucrative deals.
  3. Looking Out for Banking Options: Make sure your chosen casino accepts a wide range of different banking methods for both deposits and withdrawals. All reputable casinos will accept credit or debit cards and various types of e-wallets. Some even take Bitcoin.

Playing Online Slots Responsibly

Playing slots online can be fun and thrilling. However, it's essential to be in control and safe when you gamble online. Though playing free demo slots poses less of a risk, it's important to know your limits if you do eventually play for real money. If you're concerned about your gameplay, you can head to our responsible gambling hub for more advice.

FAQs

  • Can I play free slots online?
  • Where can I find the best free slots games?
  • Can I get a bonus playing free slots?
  • Are free slots playable on mobile?
  • Is it easy to switch to real money slots?
  • What are the best free online slots?
  • What is the best free online casino?

Written by Hannah Cutajar

Head of Gaming Updated: 14 Jun 2024

Semi-professional athlete turned online casino enthusiast, Hannah Cutajar is no newcomer to the gaming industry. With over 5 years of experience, she now leads our team of casino experts at Casino.org and is considered the go-to gaming specialist across several markets including the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Her number one goal is to ensure players get the best experience online through world-class content.

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