Next time you spot cherries, lemons, and watermelons spinning on a slot machine, you might wonder why these images appear so often. It is a familiar sight in amusement arcades, pubs, and casinos across the UK, yet the reason behind these symbols is not always obvious.
So where did these pictures of fruit come from, and what made them so closely linked to slot games? The story goes back much further than most people realise, with a few surprising turns along the way.
Here, you will find the real origins of fruit symbols, how they moved from prizes to tradition, and why they still show up today. It is a simple idea with a long legacy.
How Did Fruit Symbols Originate On Slot Reels?
Fruit symbols first appeared on slot machines in the early 1900s, long before online gambling or digital slots existed. At the time, strict laws in the United States restricted cash payouts. To comply, many venues offered goods instead of money.
That is where the fruit came in. Machines began showing cherries, lemons, oranges, and plums to match the sweets being given out. Landing certain symbols could be exchanged for fruit-flavoured gum or other treats. The pictures acted as a clear sign that the prize was not cash, keeping operators within the rules.
A popular chewing-gum manufacturer helped cement the style, and its BAR logo became another familiar reel icon alongside the fruit. Over time, these bright, simple images became so closely tied to slot machines that they stayed put even after cash payouts returned.
So when you see fruit today, you are looking at a visual reminder of how operators once communicated their prize system, not just decoration for decoration’s sake.
Why Are Cherries, Lemons And Plums So Common?
That legal workaround explains why fruit appeared in the first place. But why do the same few fruits keep showing up?
Part of the answer is flavour. In the early days, each fruit matched a sweet on offer, and cherry, lemon, and plum were popular choices. The match felt natural and easy to understand.
Design played a big role too. These fruits have bold colours and simple shapes that stood out on painted reels and glass fronts. Early printing and cabinet artwork benefited from strong, uncluttered images that could be recognised at a glance across a busy room. Cherries, lemons, and plums ticked every box.
Plenty of other options existed, but these three became the shorthand for the prize system and, later, for slot gaming itself. Once a visual language takes hold, it tends to stick.
Do Fruit Symbols Affect Payouts And Machine Mechanics?
The fruit you see on the reels does not influence outcomes. Payouts and results are decided by the game’s design and the technology behind it, not by the pictures chosen.
Modern machines use a Random Number Generator to determine the result of each spin. The RNG assigns outcomes independently, so the symbols are simply the visual representation of those results. What a particular combination pays is set by the paytable, and that value is part of the game’s rules.
Some games give certain fruit symbols higher or lower values than others, but that is a design choice. The images themselves do not add extra features unless the game specifically assigns them one. In short, the fruit reflects tradition, while the maths and software control how the game plays.
Are Fruit Symbols Still Used In Modern Online Slots?
Knowing they are part of the presentation rather than the mechanics, why do fruit symbols still appear in modern titles?
Developers use them as a link to the classic machines many people grew up seeing. You will find them in traditional three-reel games and in newer releases with added features such as respins or expanding symbols. BARs and 7s often sit alongside the fruit to complete that retro look.
The style works well on screens too. Clean shapes and bright colours remain easy to read on mobiles and tablets, which helps when reels are moving quickly. This mix of familiarity and clarity keeps fruit imagery relevant, even as themes now range from ancient myths to television tie-ins.
So while today’s slots explore all kinds of ideas, the fruit motif remains a useful design tool and a nod to the history that shaped the genre.
Explore Online Slot Games at No Deposit Slots
At No Deposit Slots, you can browse a wide selection of online slot games, from classic fruit machines to the latest themed releases. If you enjoy the feel of cherries and BARs or prefer something more modern, there is plenty to explore on desktop and mobile.
Each game page shows key information such as paylines and features, so you can compare titles and decide what suits you before you play. Registration is straightforward, and account details are kept secure.
No Deposit Slots is operated under a UK Gambling Commission licence, supporting safer and transparent play. Tools are available to set personal limits and stay in control, and you can find support resources on the site whenever you need them.
If the story of fruit symbols has piqued your interest, take a look through our slots and see how this classic imagery lives on in today’s games.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.