AboutPhillip Boucher Expertise Author of the book, "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications under the pen name Ian B. Williams. I can answer any question related to the concept, design, marketing, programming, operation, installation, repair, and maintenance of slot machines, video poker machines, and video lottery terminals, and their related equipment and machinery, within the regulated gaming industry. I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WHATSOEVER RELATED TO THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GAMING MACHINES, INCLUDING QUESTIONS SUCH AS "I JUST BOUGHT A SLOT MACHINE AND IT DOESN'T WORK...". I can help dispel all the myths and misconceptions that have permeated the print and news media about slots over the years. I can also answer questions related to gambling addiction in general and slot machine addiction in particular. Each question will be answered truthfully, without bias, whether the answer is what the questioner wants to hear. I will not propagate the myth that there are secrets to winning or beating slots, because there are none. There are no methods or tricks or other such nonsense that a lot of people think there are. I`m sorry, but reality in regard to slot machines can be a big letdown! I won`t lead anyone on. Want to know the real truth? Just ask. I can also answer general questions related to casinos except for table games.
Experience I have over eleven years experience as a slot machine technician for two major North American casinos, one racetrack slot facility, and am a Certified Gaming Machine Repairperson. I am the author of, (writing as Ian B. Williams), "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications.
Question Hi. I would like to know where i can find out more (in terms of reading materials) about how to design a slot machine, especially as it relates to the implementation of slot machine design to achieve an 'addictive quality' for the slot machine player.
Answer Fletch, if you want to design a slot machine to achieve an "addictive quality" then you are in the wrong line of work. Slot machines have no addictive qualities designed in them. Slot design is based on standard marketing and market research business fundamentals in the same manner as any consumer product or service is, which is based on demographics, colours, sounds, features, etc. There are no books that tell you how to design a slot machine. You would have to have several university degrees in statistics, mathematics, electronics, etc to get a job at a gaming machine manufacturer to design a machine. Also, when a machine is under design, it must meet minimum standards of security and randomness which may differ from gaming regulator to gaming regulator, so these requirements are a major factor in design from the very beginning. If you are still interested in slot machine design then you should contact a slot machine manufacturer and ask them what their minimum educational and experience requirements are for design engineers. Phil
