Slot machines have remained popular with players for over a century, with the same simple mechanism still being used to create winning spins across a series of reels. Yet, these games have evolved somewhat in recent years, as some of the classic features have been updated to introduce new gameplay mechanics and features.

Free Spins and Bonus Rounds

The first slot machine was created in the 1890s, with bonus rounds added by the 1930s. The introduction of electromechanical devices like Money Honey from Bally in the 1960s introduced programmable bonus rounds, replacing manually-triggered features and expanding gameplay variety. This has been followed by a huge variety of rounds, where players get free spins, collect symbols, or choose mystery objects, among others.

Modern online slots include a wide variety of bonus rounds, such as those that can be seen in the Hold & Win titles. These games typically give players at least one free re-spin, with special symbols locked into place.

Progressive Jackpots 

The earliest slot machine to offer a progressive jackpot was Megabucks by International Game Technology in 1986. This mechanism allowed players to try and win a jackpot that climbed every time someone played the slot, with the jackpot finally paying out on a random spin. It greatly increases the available prizes and has remained a popular feature among slot
enthusiasts.

Online progressive slot games like Thunderstruck II Maple Moolah, Gladiator Jackpot, and Buffalo Blitz Megaways all showcase the sheer variety on offer in the contemporary landscape, with each having unique jackpot mechanisms. The Maple Moolah range of slots by Games Global takes popular slots and includes a jackpot seed of $1 million that increases with continued play. Most progressive jackpots are still awarded randomly, but some include a bonus game that triggers a payout.

Multipliers Can Be Added in a Number of Ways

Win multipliers have been a big part of the slots world since the first electromechanical machines were created in the middle of the 20th century. At first, this was a simple but effective way of increasing wins by 2x or 3x when the right symbols landed, meaning that players had the potential to receive payouts beyond standard paytable values. But they now get used in increasingly sophisticated ways that add more than just bigger wins.

Increasing multipliers are used to give an ever-bigger boost to winning spins. This type of multiplier can grow with each winning spin on some slots, while others increase with each spin made during the free spins round. An interesting twist sees multipliers earned by collecting special symbols, which accumulate multiplier levels through a meter-based system.

The way that these slot features have evolved is an indicator of the way that the online gaming industry has expanded significantly in recent years. We can expect to see more new features added in the future, while the traditional features we’ve looked at here will likely continue to evolve as new design elements are introduced.

WATCH From Underdog to Top Broodmare (video)

Executive Producers Jeff Robillard (Horse Racing Alberta) and Mike Little (Shinelight Entertainment)

What began as an underdog story became a legacy of excellence. Crackers Hot Shot didn’t just race — she paved the way for future generations, and in doing so became one of the most influential producers the province has known.

The extraordinary journey of Crackers Hot Shot — once overlooked, now revered — stands as one of Alberta’s finest success stories in harness racing and breeding.

Born in humble circumstances and initially considered rough around the edges, Crackers Hot Shot overcame long odds to carve out a career that would forever impact the province’s racing industry. From a “wild, unhandled filly” to Alberta’s “Horse of the Year” in 2013, to producing foals who carry her spirit and fortitude into future generations.

Her influence ripples through Alberta’s racing and breeding landscape: from how young stock are prepared, to the aspirations of local breeders who now look to “the mare that did it” as proof that world-class talent can emerge from Alberta’s paddocks.

“Crackers Hot Shot, she had a tough start. She wasn’t much to look at when we first got her” — Rod Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot was left on her own – Carl Archibald heard us talking, he said ‘I’ll go get her – I live by there’. I think it took him 3 days to dig her out of the snow. She was completely wild – then we just started working on her. She really needed some humans to work with her – and get to know that people are not scary.” — Jackie Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot would be one of the top broodmares in Albeta percentage wise if nothing else. Her foals hit the track – they’re looking for the winners circle every time.” — Connie Kolthammer

Visit thehorses.com to learn more about Alberta’s Horse Racing industry.