Casino & Gambling Information

The Slot Machine


The very first slot machine (called 'Liberty Bell') was created by a man called Charles Fay from his workshop in San Francisco in 1887. Slightly smaller than today's average slot machines, Liberty Bell contained 3 reels and 20 symbols and operated pretty much in the same way as today's slot machines. Within a relatively short period of time, Fay's creation became so popular and successful that he began to work overtime in his workshop to meet the demand for his slot machines. Capitalizing on their success, Fay rented the machines to gambling establishments at a 50% commission rate, refusing to sell the manufacturing and distribution rights of his slot machines to gambling manufacturers.

In 1907, Herbert Mills, a Chicago manufacturer created 'Operator Bell', a slot machine similar to 'Liberty Bell' in design. Produced and distributed at a greater rate than Fay's 'Liberty Bell', the 'Operator Bell' slot machines experienced even greater success and by 1910, slot machines were very common in the United States of America. As soon as slot machines had reached a new peak in popularity and became common throughout the USA, new laws were introduced and passed to ban slot machines. In spite of this, slot machines continued to be popular throught America during the 1920s and 1930s. During the late 1940's, Bugsy, a well known gangster, added slot machines to his Flamingo Hilton hotel in Las Vegas where the profit from slot machines eventually exceeded that of table games.

The objective of the slot machine is to try and spin a winning combination of symbols on the payline.

There are basically two types of slots.

Straight Slots: A Straight slots jackpot will remain at a set amount of money until it is won, after which it resets and starts over again at that same amount. For example, a straight jackpot may be set at $20,000 and will remain at $20,000 until it is won, no matter how many coins are deposited into the slot machine.

Progressive Slots: On the other hand, the amount of money that may be won playing progressive slots is determined by the amount of money deposited into the machine. Thus the progressive jackpot continuosly increases with each player until it is won.

To play straight or progressive slots, the player deposits a coin or set of coins into the slot machine and selects the number of coins to bet per spin. The player may then either press the 'Spin' button or pull the arm of the slot machine to spin the reels. Once the reels stop spinning, the player will either win or lose that spin. Whether the player wins or loses, he may 'Cash Out' his share of money from the machine or continue to play.

Today, slot machines are amongst the most popular games found in casinos, accounting for over 30% of casino profit. This is due to a number of reasons.

(1) Slot machines are very easy to play and require no real test of skill or knowledge. A player simply deposits coins into the machine and presses a button. Once the reels stop spinning, the machine will alert the player if the winning combination is struck or not.

(2) There is no pressure to play against or interact with other players as one may do in games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker.

(3) There is no risk of someone trying to cheat during the game or of the dealer making an honest mistake during a bet.

(4) There is no time frame for one to make the next move. A slot machine may be played at one's own pace without the player feeling the need to hurry because someone else is waiting for his/her turn.

(5) The game is played with real money and not casino chips. This makes the game much more exciting in the sense that the player has the opportunity to gamble with real currency.

(6) The payout is instant and can sometimes run into the thousands of dollars, especially if one is playing progressive slots.

For these set of reasons, the slot machine is currently one of the most popular games found in a casino.

Adel Awwad is the webmaster of Free Casino Cash Guide.


MORE RESOURCES:

LETTER OF THE DAY - Casino caution misplaced; focus on greater ills
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - May 12, 2008
Let me express my intolerance for all those who oppose casino gambling while greater ills are tolerated by citizens, civic organisations and churches alike. ...


We must be bolder, allow casino gambling
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH - May 10, 2008
With recent discussion about bringing casino gambling to Northern Kentucky and Ohio, I can't help but wonder why people are so distressed by the notion. ...


WBUR

Governor says casino gambling bill ’may yet come back’
Boston Herald, United States - May 7, 2008
By AP Gov. Deval Patrick says a bill to bring legalized gambling to Massachusetts "may yet come back in the Legislature." And he says he’s not basing his ...
Gov. Patrick eyes the future, one line item at a time The Boston - Bay State Banner
YOUR OPINION: Speaker DiMasi, keep your own House in order The Patriot Ledger
all 21 news articles


Atlantic City: What's changed in 30 years after casinos
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 19 hours ago
Before voters approved casino gambling in 1976, Atlantic City was a poor city struggling with crime, drugs and lack of jobs. Today it has the casinos, ...


Bartlett scolds casino critics
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - May 11, 2008
Montego Bay, St James - In his most scathing remarks yet against the detractors of casino gambling, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, on the weekend ...


Capital News 9

Governor says casino gambling bill may still have life
Capital News 9, NY - May 8, 2008
MASSACHUSETTS -- Despite a defeat by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Governor Deval Patrick says the fight for casino gambling in the Bay State ...


Jamaica Gleaner

Casino gambling is going to be another Cash Plus
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Apr 29, 2008
Casino gambling is going to be another Cash Plus. Does it have to be so? No, it does not. But it would require proper structures to ensure that Jamaicans ...
Clerics rebuke Government for casinos Jamaica Gleaner
all 2 news articles


LETTERS OF THE DAY - Looking at casino gambling ...
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - Apr 27, 2008
While the debate on legalising casino gambling has been mostly a moral one, my major concern is on more a pragmatic level. everywhere that casino gambling ...


Governor Of Rhode Island Vetoes Expanded Casino Gambling Hours
Casino Gambling Web, FL - May 6, 2008
The General Assembly last week approved a Bill that would expand the hours at Rhode Island's two slot casinos. The move was done to generate more revenue ...


South of Boston region biggest supporters of casino gambling
Enterprise News, MA - May 5, 2008
Barrow said the highest levels of support for casino gambling are found in New Bedford and Fall River, two cities with struggling economies. ...
Casino backer isn't folding SouthCoastToday.com
all 7 news articles

Casino-Gambling - Google News

home | site map

Visit our other sites:
GamesBlog | GamingDepot | GimmeaRide | GimmeNetwork | Golf Biz | HotorNotGame | I Want Computers | I Want Games | I Want Hosting | I Want Music | I Want Security | JokeBox | ScriptShock | Wantedfonts | Webalize
© 2006