Casino – most often we associate this word with games, entertainment, James Bond, and of course Las Vegas, which became Mecca of gambling industry. However, not many of us are aware that casino games have very long and interesting history, which dates back to the ancient times, when many scholars were looking for some additional entertainments. This is how the first card and dice games appeared. Almost two and a half century BC. first bets were made! Records say that ancient bets involved valuable things like jewelry, but it was also a common activity to wager cattle and slaves.

Throughout the centuries casino games were constantly evolving. The first game that resembled modern slot machine was invented in 1895 by Charles Frey. The machine called the Liberty Bell had three reels and five different symbols presenting hearts, diamonds, horseshoes, spades and Liberty Bell logo. It is the first known device equipped with automatic payout system and jackpot pool of 50 cents. 

Cherry and melon symbols were introduced to gaming machines as a part of Bell Fruit Gum marketing campaign. The fruits were representing different chewing gum flavours produced by this manufacturer. In order to bypass the local antigambling regulations, some of the machines were paying out the winnings in the form of chewing gums. The symbols of bells and fruits are the most frequently used even in the modern times.

The first electric machine was designed in 1964 by Bally Manufacturing. It was also the first real progress in relation to the old Liberty Bell machine. New game had an electric mechanism, which allowed players to put several coins at a time, which in turn was increasing the jackpot sum. To make their new machine as attractive as possible, Bally, for the first time introduced sounds and flashing lights.

The milestone in the gaming industry was the introduction of the internet. The debut of slots machines online was the real game-changer in the gaming market. For the first time players were able to play their favourite games from their households. 

Nowadays, there are thousands of land based and online casinos. Players may choose from thousands of games, which are surely covering tastes of all kind. However, most of the games use the schemes introduced over one hundred years ago. It doesn't matter if you go to the casino in person, or you will launch game on a mobile device – be prepared to see cherries, melons and bells.