slot machine

noun

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Definition of slot machine

1 : a machine whose operation is begun by dropping a coin into a slot

2 : an originally coin-operated gambling machine that pays off according to the matching of symbols on wheels spun by a handle; also : an electronic version of this machine

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Recent Examples of slot machine from the Web

The bill cuts the state’s share of gross slot machine revenue from 43.5 percent to 42.5 percent, with additional reductions of 2 percent allowed if a casino’s capital expenditures equal or exceed 3% of its net slots proceeds.

— Washington Post, "Tax relief for Delaware casinos gets final approval," 30 June 2018
As noted by Natasha Dow Schüll, in the book Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas, in recent years there's been a merging of the slot machine industry with video games.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "News / Technology / The Internet Video games are public enemy #1 . . . again," 19 June 2018
Dodo loved family gatherings and enjoyed playing bingo, poker, and slot machines at the Casino.

— courant.com, "Josephine Leonard," 27 May 2018
More than a decade ago, the state's tribal casinos spent millions of dollars to defeat a ballot initiative that would have let card clubs and racetracks break the tribes' monopoly on operating slot machines.

— hugo martin, latimes.com, "Sports gambling may be coming to California — but it's unclear who will take your bets," 20 May 2018
Asked for an explanation on why revenues would have increased while guest volume dropped, Hirsch said guests may be spending more time and money on the casino's new slot machines or playing the bonus rounds.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Casinos report $84.74 million in April revenues," 10 May 2018
The big showcase destination, the lost city of Atlantis, has been converted to a casino, where winged beasts and dark lords sit dead-eyed in front of flashing slot machines.

— barbara vandenburgh, azcentral, "Monsters go on vacation in 'Hotel Transylvania 3'," 12 July 2018
Tech companies design their products—like smartphones and social media networks—to appeal to and addict us, a combination of Las Vegas slot machines and digital oxycontin.

— alex salkever, Fortune, "Fortnite Is Poised to Rule the Summer. Are Parents Prepared?," 5 July 2018
According to federal court files, Ransom admits losing $1,410,276.95 from 2008-2014 on the Seminole Casino at Coconut Creek slot machines.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "She's a big loser: $1.4 million on the slots, 3 years of freedom, nearly $3 million owed," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slot machine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.