A coin would be inserted, a lever would be pulled, and players would hope for a winning combination. Similar machines were soon widely used in saloons & gawww.yonosbi.commbling establishments as a result of the Liberty Bell's rapid rise in popularity. Slot machines, which captivated players with their promise of immediate rewards and excitement, had become a mainstay of American culture by the early 20th century. Slot machines saw substantial changes as the decades went by.