Slot centennial
by Jack Bulavsky
Slot centennial
Many AGEM members have played vital role in history, evolution of slots and systems that support them
AGEM Report by Jack Bulavsky
Alongside the city of Las Vegas, the slot machine is also celebrating its own centennial. It was in 1905 that the Nevada State Legislature first voted to regulate slot machines in Nevada.
What began as a novelty has exploded into a global gaming phenomenon. Early cast iron slot machines that delivered only trinkets and sweets have since given way to sophisticated games offering multi-million dollar jackpots.
Significant events in slot machine history include:
1899: The first three-real slot machine was designed by Charles Fay, known as the Liberty Bell
1905: Nevada legislature voted to regulate slot machines in the state
1923: Slot machines were no longer made from cast iron, instead were made using aluminum
1963: Early front runner Bally Gaming was responsible for the landmark free spinning reel slot, complete with electronic bells, electromechanical circuitry, and motorized hopper pay
1970s: Mechanical machines became electronic, which led to the first video and poker machines
1980: Slot machines began incorporating microprocessors
1986: Changing slot machine play forever, International Game Technology introduced Megabucks®
1990s: Bill acceptors were added to slot machines
2000s: Coinless, or ticket-in/ticket out technology, revolutionizes slots as we know them
Present day: Downloadable, or server-based games being looked at as wave of the future
Today, slot machines are sleek, neon-lit, multi-line video machines that feature multi-level bonus rounds and remarkably sharp graphics. Slots now carry an integrated computer chip that depicts everything from diamonds and rubies to bottles of Tabasco® sauce, the Munster family, and the music of Sinatra.
Marcus Prater, senior vice president of marketing for Bally, said slot and video poker players are trending younger. He attributes this to the advanced graphics that appeal to those same men and women, who have been playing video games for over 25 years.
"We follow trends established by the computer generation and work with those technologies," said Prater. "The advanced computer game technology that kids are playing today will eventually make their way to the slot playing public."
AGEM is comprised of many of the companies that were responsible for the gaming innovation and high-tech advancement. These companies can be credited with making slot machine play what it is today for they revolutionized the gambling industry with its constant evolution of bigger and better slot machines.
Political clout
When AGEM puts on a reception, even the Governor makes an appearance.
Two months ago, AGEM hosted a legislative reception and dinner in Carson City, Nev. for members of the state legislature. AGEM President Walt Stowe, in his welcoming remarks, said, "we're just here to say hello and to get to know you better."
What was so satisfying about the evening were the many legislators who, after being in session all day, found the time to attend. A big "thank you" to Sam McMullen and his staff from McMullen Strategic Group for assisting in this event. An even bigger "thank you" to each of the legislators who attended:
From the Senate-Mark Amodei, Bob Beers, Terry Care, Maggie Carlton, Barbara Cegavske, Bob Coffin, Steven Horsford, Mike McGinness, Dennis Nolan, and Dina Titus.
From the Assembly-Bernie Anderson, Sharron Angle, Jerry Claborn, Marcus Conklin, Mo Denis, Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Pete Goicoechea, Tom Grady, Joe Hardy, Joe Hogan, Brooks Holcomb, William Horne, Garn Mabey, Mark Manendo, Bob McCleary, Harvey Munford, David Parks, Richard Perkins, and Bob Seale.
After the reception, we went to dinner with several of the legislators and Gov. Kenny Guinn stopped by. He moved from table to table saying hello.
"This was a well planned and successful event," said Bill Bartholomay, WMS Gaming. "It's important that we meet these individuals in an informal setting like this and get to know them as fellow citizens instead of Senator or Assemblyman. It breaks down a lot of barriers."
Stowe was also enthusiastic about the evening and plans to discuss with board members the idea of having similar events in other state capitols.
"Our members are always writing letters to state legislators in other gaming jurisdictions about issues pertinent to us and them," explained Stowe. "By meeting them in person and maybe breaking bread with them, it provides an opportunity to better explain ourselves and also allows us to know the person and not just the name."
Officers announced
AGEM recently elected officers for 2005-2006.
Walt Stowe of Aristocrat Technologies is serving the second year of a two-year term as president, while Orrin Edidin from WMS Gaming is the association's vice president. Erik Batzloff from JCM American is secretary, and Brooke Dunn from Shuffle Master Gaming is treasurer. The association's general counsel is Mark Lerner from Alliance Gaming.
Jack Bulavsky is executive director of the Las Vegas-based Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM). If you're interested in learning more about AGEM, contact Jack at (702) 434-4597 or visit www.agem.org.
Many AGEM members have played vital role in history, evolution of slots and systems that support them
AGEM Report by Jack Bulavsky
Alongside the city of Las Vegas, the slot machine is also celebrating its own centennial. It was in 1905 that the Nevada State Legislature first voted to regulate slot machines in Nevada.
What began as a novelty has exploded into a global gaming phenomenon. Early cast iron slot machines that delivered only trinkets and sweets have since given way to sophisticated games offering multi-million dollar jackpots.
Significant events in slot machine history include:
1899: The first three-real slot machine was designed by Charles Fay, known as the Liberty Bell
1905: Nevada legislature voted to regulate slot machines in the state
1923: Slot machines were no longer made from cast iron, instead were made using aluminum
1963: Early front runner Bally Gaming was responsible for the landmark free spinning reel slot, complete with electronic bells, electromechanical circuitry, and motorized hopper pay
1970s: Mechanical machines became electronic, which led to the first video and poker machines
1980: Slot machines began incorporating microprocessors
1986: Changing slot machine play forever, International Game Technology introduced Megabucks®
1990s: Bill acceptors were added to slot machines
2000s: Coinless, or ticket-in/ticket out technology, revolutionizes slots as we know them
Present day: Downloadable, or server-based games being looked at as wave of the future
Today, slot machines are sleek, neon-lit, multi-line video machines that feature multi-level bonus rounds and remarkably sharp graphics. Slots now carry an integrated computer chip that depicts everything from diamonds and rubies to bottles of Tabasco® sauce, the Munster family, and the music of Sinatra.
Marcus Prater, senior vice president of marketing for Bally, said slot and video poker players are trending younger. He attributes this to the advanced graphics that appeal to those same men and women, who have been playing video games for over 25 years.
"We follow trends established by the computer generation and work with those technologies," said Prater. "The advanced computer game technology that kids are playing today will eventually make their way to the slot playing public."
AGEM is comprised of many of the companies that were responsible for the gaming innovation and high-tech advancement. These companies can be credited with making slot machine play what it is today for they revolutionized the gambling industry with its constant evolution of bigger and better slot machines.
Political clout
When AGEM puts on a reception, even the Governor makes an appearance.
Two months ago, AGEM hosted a legislative reception and dinner in Carson City, Nev. for members of the state legislature. AGEM President Walt Stowe, in his welcoming remarks, said, "we're just here to say hello and to get to know you better."
What was so satisfying about the evening were the many legislators who, after being in session all day, found the time to attend. A big "thank you" to Sam McMullen and his staff from McMullen Strategic Group for assisting in this event. An even bigger "thank you" to each of the legislators who attended:
From the Senate-Mark Amodei, Bob Beers, Terry Care, Maggie Carlton, Barbara Cegavske, Bob Coffin, Steven Horsford, Mike McGinness, Dennis Nolan, and Dina Titus.
From the Assembly-Bernie Anderson, Sharron Angle, Jerry Claborn, Marcus Conklin, Mo Denis, Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Pete Goicoechea, Tom Grady, Joe Hardy, Joe Hogan, Brooks Holcomb, William Horne, Garn Mabey, Mark Manendo, Bob McCleary, Harvey Munford, David Parks, Richard Perkins, and Bob Seale.
After the reception, we went to dinner with several of the legislators and Gov. Kenny Guinn stopped by. He moved from table to table saying hello.
"This was a well planned and successful event," said Bill Bartholomay, WMS Gaming. "It's important that we meet these individuals in an informal setting like this and get to know them as fellow citizens instead of Senator or Assemblyman. It breaks down a lot of barriers."
Stowe was also enthusiastic about the evening and plans to discuss with board members the idea of having similar events in other state capitols.
"Our members are always writing letters to state legislators in other gaming jurisdictions about issues pertinent to us and them," explained Stowe. "By meeting them in person and maybe breaking bread with them, it provides an opportunity to better explain ourselves and also allows us to know the person and not just the name."
Officers announced
AGEM recently elected officers for 2005-2006.
Walt Stowe of Aristocrat Technologies is serving the second year of a two-year term as president, while Orrin Edidin from WMS Gaming is the association's vice president. Erik Batzloff from JCM American is secretary, and Brooke Dunn from Shuffle Master Gaming is treasurer. The association's general counsel is Mark Lerner from Alliance Gaming.
Jack Bulavsky is executive director of the Las Vegas-based Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM). If you're interested in learning more about AGEM, contact Jack at (702) 434-4597 or visit www.agem.org.
