The first slot machines, introduced in the late 19th century, didn’t always pay out in cash as they do today.
In the early days, bar owners who installed these machines had the freedom to decide what kind of prizes would be awarded to winners, as there were no strict regulations on payouts.
More often than not, the rewards were in the form of complimentary beer 
or cigars 
, rather than cash 
.
This was a clever way for bar owners to keep their patrons coming back while offering something they could enjoy immediately, contributing to the machines’ early popularity in taverns and saloons.
Cheers! 
