Reno Company Handcrafts Animated Slot Machines

Casino History, Elko--Nevada, Gambling History, Games / Races: Games Creators / Manufacturers: Character Manufacturing Co., Games / Races: Games Creators / Manufacturers: Frank Polk, Games / Races: Games Creators / Manufacturers: Sundance Cravat, Games / Races: Slot Machines / Fruities: Animated, Gaming History, Golden Hotel (Reno, NV), It Really Happened, Las Vegas Club (Las Vegas, NV), Las Vegas--Nevada, Mapes (Reno, NV), Nevada, Nevada Club (Reno, NV), Reno--Nevada, Stockmen's Hotel (Elko, NV), The Mint (Las Vegas, NV), United StatesLeave a comment

1950-1956 A novel, animated gambling device began to appear in Nevada casinos in 1950. It debuted in the lobby of Reno’s Mapes hotel-casino in the fall and “got a big play from visiting Shriners,” reported the Nevada State Journal (Nov. 12, 1950). They were one-armed bandits, or life-sized outlaws whose torso was a slot machine…