The Evolution of Online Slots Technology
Entertainment, Gambling
You may have spun the reels of online slots hundreds of times and never once thought about what is going on behind the scenes. After all, most of us assume that there’s some degree of technology involved in making online casinos work but have probably never really given it much thought. It just so happens that online slots and all other casino games are nothing short of technologically advanced wonders.
Stick with us and you’ll find out more. Our guide to slots tech gives you a better idea of what’s really going on behind the scenes. You’ll soon find out that a simple spin of the reels of the best online slots Canada has to offer is so much more!
Brief History Of Slots
First let’s take a look back in time and get an idea of how spinning reels, paylines, and symbols came to be. It may not be obvious, but casino games are far older than might be assumed, with card games going back well into human history. Even slot machines have a long legacy, having come into existence via mechanical wizardry before motor vehicles were even off the drawing board.
The first real slot machine came about in 1887, invented by Charles Fey. His design was a frankly incredible mechanical device, utilising 3 reels and 5 symbols. Most will recognise the bells, diamonds and horseshoes, all of which are still common to this very day. Fey named the invention the Liberty Bell.
Jumping forward to 1963, things took a giant step toward modernising. It was still some time before anything like online slots would be dreamed about, but electronics were added to the mix in 63. Importantly, the games seen in 1963 are, at their core, still very similar to what we play today.
RNG Arrives
The important factor to keep in mind is that all of these early slot machines, right up until the 60s, all worked via a mechanically random system. Once the arm was pulled, the reels were set into motion spinning. As the arm returned to its original position brakes were applied, locking the reels in place. It was a crude mechanical system by modern standards, but it did indeed truly keep things fair.
Of course, the online slots Canada-based players enjoy today are way beyond gears and levers. Today Random Number Generators (RNG) are used, which are an extremely impressive bit of software engineering. All modern online casino games make use of RNG, at least to some extent, which more or less makes the tech the core of iGaming.
RNG software was designed for the single purpose of rapidly creating numbers. It does so constantly, regardless of whether someone is playing, and spits out hundreds of generated sequences per second, utilising hundreds of thousands of seed numbers. When a game is played, a call is made to the software, and numbers are then provided.
Interestingly, not even those that created the algorithm, or those responsible for maintaining it, have any idea of which numbers are being generated at any given time. It is as random and fair as possible.
Licenses And eCOGRA
But you now might be thinking, how exactly do we really know that an RNG is fair, and that online slots even make use of the systems?
Any site applying for a license has to be audited first. Standard fixed jackpot and progressive slots, Blackjack, Roulette and all other games are put through series of tests, with it being verified that each and every system is indeed fair.
There are also organisations such as eCOGRA that have the sole purpose of ensuring that sites, and by extension all their software, are operating fairly. Having been established in 2003, eCOGRA is seen as the universal iGaming authority. The group underwent extensive research in order to properly understand how iGaming worked at its core, and hence devised a strict set of rules and regulations. Of course, the organisation is still evolving to this very day, keeping up with the technology as it advances.
Many gambling sites have the eCOGRA seal of approval, which stands as testimony to the fact that every system has undergone intense scrutiny by trained professionals.
Slots Security
So, we know that the online slots themselves are strictly regulated, but what about the sites in which they operate? Cybercrime is a problem, as every smart Canadian knows, so what guarantees are there that the services are safe and secure?
Local iGaming operators work under three important safety categories; generally accepted practices, game safety, and banking security.
All reputable operators adhere to these rules closely, else they would have never been granted licenses in the first place. Additionally, regulatory watchdog groups perform checks on a regular basis, ensuring that standards are being upheld, and all systems are working as they should. The already mentioned eCOGRA is a fine example, and any operator that has the organisation seal of approval is certainly doing something right.
A primary area of concern is what operators do with sensitive information, once it has been provided by players. Details such as bank account information are, naturally, the most at risk. How this data is stored is what organisation like eCOGRA will be most interested in. If all is working as it should, the automated process will encrypt and store the information on highly secure servers. Not even employees have access.
Additionally, the best online casinos make use of some incredibly sophisticated software as far as bank transfers are concerned. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is in use at most, if not all iGaming sites. SSL encrypts data as it is transferred, making it impossible to intercept. SSL, plus encrypted servers, make for incredibly secure online systems.
No Cheaters
Next in our guide to slots tech, let’s take a look at cheating. We know that much is done in order to keep players safe, but what steps are taken to keep the operations themselves safe?
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that land-based casinos go to great lengths in order to keep cheaters at bay. Many even hire engineers to look for ways to cheat, thus exposing weaknesses and ultimately helping security.
With that being said, when Fey’s mechanical contraptions were popular cheats quickly discovered a variety of ways to take advantage. The ancient mechanical devices were not what could be called secure, given that they had few actual security features. Hence, slot machine cheats came up with a host of way to manipulate the internal mechanisms. Some of the most basic tricks involved coins on a string, counterfeit coins, and even coat hangers jammed into the vents.
As slots became mainstream in the early 1900s, more secure cabinets were designed, but still cheaters found ways to take advantage. One famous thief, Tommy Glenn Carmichael, created what was known as The Monkey’s Paw. This simple, yet effective gadget included a piece of piano wire attached to a metal rod. Carmichael jammed the rod into the cabinet, then swiped the switch that releases coins. He was eventually caught, but for a time would make around $1,000 an hour.
Jumping to modern times and talking about the online slots that players enjoy today, it shouldn’t be surprising that it is virtually impossible to cheat.
Since it is the operator’s server doing the computing, and not the device that the player is using, there is little that can be done to alter any outcomes. More to the point, the active account is also held by the casino, which means that even if by some miracle cheating does occur, it would take more than a miracle to actually withdraw the ill-gotten gains.
Slots Themes
Last in our guide to slots tech, let’s look at themes.
As anyone that has spun the reels knows, there are literally thousands of themes to choose from. So many, in fact, that you could try a new theme every day, and probably not run out for years. From the classic fruits that have lasted for decades, to movies, music, bands and more. There is virtually nothing that hasn’t been transformed into a theme, in some way or another. Some themes even defy expectations, going into bizarre territory that may just make players scratch their heads.
There is no question that some of the best developers in the world, such as Microgaming, put extraordinary effort into themes, creating what is, without a doubt, some outstanding art. This creativity extends to the symbols, background, and bonus rounds. This art is what makes the games enjoyable, and the better the theme, the more enjoyable the gameplay.
But with that being said, we remind you to always play responsibly. Exciting themes and bombastic light shows are entertaining, but should always be treated as such, entertainment. Always keep track of your bankroll, and never play with money you aren’t comfortable losing.
