Bally’s Slot Machines

Bally’s is one of the most recognized names in gambling, with casino properties all over the United States and slot and other casino games popular all over the world. The arm of Bally’s that designs slot machines is known specifically as Bally Technologies, which has only existed since 1996. The Bally’s name itself has been around since 1968, when the company was known as Advanced Patent Technology. That company has its roots in an even older group which has been producing slot games since the 1930s, making Bally’s the oldest slot machine designer still in operation.

The first slot machine that can rightfully be called a Bally’s slot was a simple three-reel single pay line machine called Bally Baby. Today, Bally’s produces everything from classic-style slots to wide-area progressive games in land-based casinos as well as online and mobile slot titles.

Bally’s slot machines come in many varieties, from video and so-called stepper slots to their premium line of games with huge potential jackpots, almost all of which are built around a licensed theme. These days, Bally’s
is following the trend in traditional casino slot gaming toward licensed games featuring familiar characters and themes. Some of these games, such as IGT’s Frank Sinatra-themed slot, performed poorly, while titles like Bally’s own Grease-inspired game have drawn slot gamblers in big-time. Bally’s Grease slot uses audio and video clips from the actual film, and its progressive top prize and wide range of available bet sizes no doubt contributed to the title’s popularity.

What can slot gamblers expect in the future from Bally Technologies? The company is looking to expand its lineup of premium licensed titles as well as innovations in the way gamblers interact with the machines themselves. Bally’s was the first to release slot games featuring gesture-recognizing interfaces, known as U-Spin slots. Ironically, fans of slot gaming can look to the world’s oldest continually-operating slot manufacturer for the latest in one-armed bandit technology.

Other Examples of Popular Bally’s Slots

One of the latest creations from the minds of Bally Technologies is a land-based casino slot game based on the popular Pawn Stars television series. Released in 2012, the game features the likenesses of the cable show’s stars Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell on the game’s console and in game video clips. The title’s bonus rounds include side games where the slot player must pick an item to try to pawn, negotiating along the way for free spins and other prizes.

Bally’s Michael Jackson King of Pop game is another licensed title that the company has had plenty of success with -Jackson was an internationally famous pop star and the Bally’s slot based on his image was a five-reel, twenty-five pay line machine with two bonus rounds and two wild symbols, all based on songs and dance moves popularized by Jackson. Players look for Moonwalk wild symbols, a lineup of Jackson-themed symbols that lead to a Smooth Criminal bonus game, and stacked wilds that can lead to lots of free spins and big payouts.