A slot is a narrow opening, often vertical, used to receive something. A slot may also refer to:

(computer) An area on a hard disk or other storage device that is reserved for certain types of files, such as program code, system logs, and user data. Typically, each file occupies one or more slots. A computer system may have multiple slots, each with its own size and access privileges. The term is also used for the corresponding space on a motherboard, where expansion cards are installed.

Online slot is a type of casino game that uses digital reels to simulate the action of a real-world machine. The games are played by placing a bet, then pressing the spin button. The reels will then stop and the symbols on them will determine whether and how much a player wins. There are many different types of online slot games, each with its own theme and rules.

The first electromechanical slot machine was built in 1963 by Bally and named Money Honey. It was the first to use a bottomless hopper and an automatic payout mechanism, eliminating the need for a casino attendant to replenish cash. Later, electromechanical machines began to replace their mechanical predecessors and in the seventies, video slots became the dominant form of gaming.

Air traffic management

A slot is an airline’s right to operate at a particular time or place at an airport. These rights are granted by an air traffic control agency and can be bought or sold. They are important when an airport is constrained, either by runway capacity or the availability of parking spaces. Alternatively, slots can be awarded as part of a larger network of airports to reduce overcrowding or to encourage regional development.

Modern slot machines convert coins and other inserted currency into game credits, which activate motors within the machine to spin the reels. The internal computer uses a random number generator to generate a sequence of numbers that correspond to the locations on each reel. The random number sequence is then matched to an internal table that maps the resulting three-number location to a particular reel location. The computer then causes the reels to stop at those positions.

A slot can also be a position, especially in sports. For example, in field hockey or ice hockey, the slot is the rectangular area directly in front of the goal and extending toward the blue line. This is the area that the last offensive lineman on each side of the center must protect from the wide receivers. It can also be the spot where a player kicks the ball between the posts for a goal.