Everyone recognizes the cherries, bells, and lucky 7s, but few players stop to think about why those specific images are spinning on their screens. You see them in every casino app from DraftKings to BetMGM, usually alongside flashy animations and complex bonus rounds. Yet these icons have survived over a century of technological shifts for a reason. Understanding the oldest slot machine symbol isn't just trivia—it explains why modern games are designed the way they are, and why certain classic slots still pay out better than their video-heavy counterparts.

The Liberty Bell: Where It All Started

Charles Fey didn't set out to create an obsession. In 1895, his Liberty Bell machine was simply a better version of the clunky poker-based automatons that already existed in San Francisco bars. But the Liberty Bell worked, and its symbols became the blueprint for everything that followed.

The machine used five symbols: diamonds, spades, hearts, horseshoes, and the Liberty Bell itself. Three bells in a row paid the top prize—50 cents, which was decent money at the time. The Liberty Bell symbol remains the oldest slot machine symbol in continuous use, though you will rarely see it on its own anymore. It has largely been absorbed into the broader "bell" category that shows up in classic-style games.

Fey’s design succeeded because it was automatic. Previous machines required an attendant to pay out winnings, but the Liberty Bell dispensed coins directly. This mechanical reliability made the symbols on the reels matter more than they ever had before.

Fruit Symbols and the Chewing Gum Loophole

So why do slot machines have fruit? You can thank Prohibition-era anti-gambling laws for that. When legislators cracked down on cash payouts, slot manufacturers pivoted. Machines were recast as "vending dispensers" that awarded fruit-flavored chewing gum instead of money. The symbols on the reels represented the flavors: cherries, lemons, oranges, and plums.

This workaround gave birth to some of the most enduring icons in gambling history. The cherry symbol, for instance, has evolved into a universal indicator for small wins or scatter pays in many modern games. If you play a classic three-reel slot at Caesars Palace Online, you will likely still see cherries paying out for one or two symbols on a payline—a direct holdover from the days when three cherries meant a pack of cherry gum.

The lemon and orange symbols have a slightly darker backstory. They were often used to indicate a loss, even when the reels showed a winning combination. Operators would set machines to "squeeze" players, and while that practice is long dead, the association stuck. In some older American slots, landing lemons still feels like a near-miss, a psychological trick designers have never fully abandoned.

The Bar Symbol's Corporate Origins

The bar symbol is everywhere now, but it started as corporate branding. The Bell-Fruit Gum Company needed a logo for their gum dispensers, and the stylized bar design fit perfectly on a reel. Eventually, the brand name was dropped, and the image became a generic payout symbol.

What is interesting is how the bar has mutated. In many modern games, especially those three-reel classics at BetRivers or FanDuel Casino, the bar comes in single, double, and triple varieties. A triple bar pays more than a single, creating a simple hierarchy that players intuitively understand. It is a quiet piece of game design that works because it has been around for nearly a century.

Lucky Number 7 and the High-Payout Evolution

The lucky 7 arrived later than the Liberty Bell or fruit symbols, but it quickly became the standard for top payouts. The number 7 has obvious cultural and religious significance, but its slot dominance came from game designers looking for a clear way to signal a jackpot.

Red 7s, in particular, became associated with high volatility. When you see a game dominated by 7s, you can generally expect fewer small wins and a shot at a larger payout. This is why games like Blazing 7s and its countless imitators lean so heavily into the symbol. It signals the game's intent immediately.

Over time, the 7 has spawned variations: blue 7s, purple 7s, and flaming 7s. These are mostly cosmetic, but they allow developers to create more complex paytables without confusing players. You might see a game where three red 7s pay 500 coins, while three blue 7s pay 250. It is a simple, effective system built on a symbol that is over 80 years old.

Why Classic Symbols Still Matter in Modern Online Slots

There is a reason developers keep returning to these icons. Nostalgia plays a part, sure, but the real value is cognitive. Players do not need to read a paytable to know that the bar is worth more than the cherry, or that the 7 is the one you really want to hit. This instant recognition lowers the barrier to entry for new players.

Symbol Era Introduced Original Meaning Modern Use
Liberty Bell 1895 Top Jackpot Classic 3-reel slots
Cherry Early 1900s Cherry Gum Flavor Low-tier wins / Scatters
Bar Early 1900s Bell-Fruit Gum Logo Mid-tier payouts
Lucky 7 Mid 1900s Jackpot Indicator High-tier payouts

High-volatility games use these symbols differently than low-volatility ones. A game packed with bars and 7s is often designed for bigger swings. In contrast, a game where cherries and oranges dominate the paytable will usually offer more frequent, smaller hits. Knowing this helps you pick a game that matches your bankroll and temperament, even before you check the official RTP.

Where to Find Classic Symbol Slots Online

Most major US operators dedicate a section to "Classic Slots" or "Retro Slots," and these are the places to see the oldest slot machine symbols in action. DraftKings Casino has a robust selection of three-reel games, and FanDuel Casino often features titles like Triple Diamond that rely almost entirely on bars and 7s.

BetMGM is a strong choice for players who want a mix of old and new. Their library includes games that blend classic symbols with modern bonus features—think free spins triggered by scatter cherries. It is a hybrid approach that works well for players who appreciate the simplicity of the old symbols but still want some entertainment value beyond the base game.

For a purist experience, look for games labeled as "steppers." These are digital recreations of physical reel machines. They move like the old mechanical slots and use the original symbol sets almost exclusively. Hard Rock Bet and Borgata Online often carry these for players who miss the feel of Atlantic City casino floors.

FAQ

What is the oldest slot machine symbol still used today?

The Liberty Bell is the oldest, dating back to Charles Fey's 1895 machine. While you won't see the actual Liberty Bell as often, the bell symbol itself remains a staple in classic slot games. The cherry and bar symbols are also among the oldest, originating in the early 1900s as part of gum-dispensing machines.

Why do slot machines use fruit symbols?

Fruit symbols like cherries, lemons, and oranges originated as a workaround for anti-gambling laws. Machines were designed to dispense fruit-flavored gum instead of cash, and the symbols on the reels advertised the flavors. The imagery stuck, and fruit symbols are now permanently associated with slot gaming.

What did the bar symbol originally mean?

The bar symbol was originally the logo of the Bell-Fruit Gum Company, a manufacturer of slot machines that dispensed gum. Over decades, the corporate branding was stripped away, and the image became a generic symbol for mid-level payouts in slot games.

Are slot machines with classic symbols better to play?

Not necessarily better, but often simpler. Classic symbol slots usually have fewer paylines and simpler mechanics, which can make bankroll management easier. They also tend to have clear volatility profiles—games with lots of 7s and bars typically offer higher potential payouts but less frequent wins.

Do modern video slots still use these old symbols?

Yes, many do. Developers use classic symbols to signal a retro vibe or to keep paytables intuitive. You will often see cherries, bells, and 7s appear in games that otherwise have modern graphics and bonus rounds. It is a way to bridge the gap between old-school gamblers and a newer audience.