History of multipliers in slot machines
History of multipliers in slot machines
First automata: no multipliers
The first mechanical slot machines of the late XIX - early XX centuries (for example, Charles Fey's Liberty Bell) did not have multipliers. In them, players won fixed amounts depending on the combination of characters. The main task of such machines was to reproduce a simple gameplay without additional mathematical complications.
For decades, automata remained linear: the payout always strictly corresponded to the table, and multiplication factors were not applied in the system.
1960s-1970s: Electromechanical slots and first experiments
With the proliferation of electromechanical slots in the 1960s and 70s, developers began looking for ways to add speakers. It was during this period that Wild symbols appeared with the function of doubling the winnings - in fact, the first multipliers. They doubled the payout if they were on the winning line.
This was an important step, as the element "× 2" or "× 3" added excitement and increased the variability of the game.
1980s-1990s: digital revolution and empowerment
With the advent of video slots in the 1980s, multipliers received a new development. Now they could be used:
During this period, multipliers began to be used in freespins: for example, each free spin could have a coefficient × 3, which significantly increased the attractiveness of bonus games.
2000s: online casinos and mass adoption of multipliers
As gambling moved online, multipliers became one of the key mechanics that allocated slots. Providers began to actively experiment with formulas:
The players appreciated them, as even a minimum bet could suddenly bring a large win.
Modern Slots (2015-2025): Multiplier Mechanics Dominate
In 2015-2025, multipliers became the centerpiece of gameplay in many popular slots.
Examples:
Today, multipliers are used not only as a bonus, but also as the main mathematical axis of the slot, which sets the pace of the game and the level of potential payments.
Conclusion
The history of multipliers in slot machines is the way from simple doubling of winnings to complex mechanics with accumulated coefficients and dynamic multipliers that can increase payouts hundreds and thousands of times. Their appearance was a turning point in the industry: multipliers turned slots from simple devices into full-fledged systems with deep mathematics, and players from observers into active participants who constantly expect profitable multiplication.
First automata: no multipliers
The first mechanical slot machines of the late XIX - early XX centuries (for example, Charles Fey's Liberty Bell) did not have multipliers. In them, players won fixed amounts depending on the combination of characters. The main task of such machines was to reproduce a simple gameplay without additional mathematical complications.
For decades, automata remained linear: the payout always strictly corresponded to the table, and multiplication factors were not applied in the system.
1960s-1970s: Electromechanical slots and first experiments
With the proliferation of electromechanical slots in the 1960s and 70s, developers began looking for ways to add speakers. It was during this period that Wild symbols appeared with the function of doubling the winnings - in fact, the first multipliers. They doubled the payout if they were on the winning line.
This was an important step, as the element "× 2" or "× 3" added excitement and increased the variability of the game.
1980s-1990s: digital revolution and empowerment
With the advent of video slots in the 1980s, multipliers received a new development. Now they could be used:
- to all bonus round wins,
- to individual characters (for example, Wild × 5)
- to cascade combinations.
During this period, multipliers began to be used in freespins: for example, each free spin could have a coefficient × 3, which significantly increased the attractiveness of bonus games.
2000s: online casinos and mass adoption of multipliers
As gambling moved online, multipliers became one of the key mechanics that allocated slots. Providers began to actively experiment with formulas:
- accumulative multipliers (growing with each victory or cascade),
- random factors (appearing unexpectedly),
- progressive factors (associated with a long game session or certain conditions).
The players appreciated them, as even a minimum bet could suddenly bring a large win.
Modern Slots (2015-2025): Multiplier Mechanics Dominate
In 2015-2025, multipliers became the centerpiece of gameplay in many popular slots.
Examples:
- * Gonzo's Quest (NetEnt) - cascading winnings with increasing multiplier up to × 15.
- * Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) - freespins with multiplier bombs up to × 100.
- * Money Train 3 (Relax Gaming) is a complex system of special characters that generate and accumulate factors up to thousandths.
Today, multipliers are used not only as a bonus, but also as the main mathematical axis of the slot, which sets the pace of the game and the level of potential payments.
Conclusion
The history of multipliers in slot machines is the way from simple doubling of winnings to complex mechanics with accumulated coefficients and dynamic multipliers that can increase payouts hundreds and thousands of times. Their appearance was a turning point in the industry: multipliers turned slots from simple devices into full-fledged systems with deep mathematics, and players from observers into active participants who constantly expect profitable multiplication.
