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 HELLO,
I HAVE A BALLY MODEL E-2099-18, 5CENT ,3 REEL, 5 COIN MACHINE THAT MY LATE FATHER GAVE ME 10 YRS. AGO,HE WORKED AT A MAJOR RENO CASINO AND CAME ACROSS THE MACHINE. IT WORKED PERFECTLY FOR THE FIRST YEARS, WHEN IT HAD REGULAR PLAY. OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS THE AMOUNT OF PLAY SLOWED THEN STOPPED. NOW WHEN THE ARM IS PULLED THE REELS SPIN BUT INSTEAD OF STOPPING THEY JUST SPIN FREE AND A TILT REGISTERS.
I TRULY BELIEVE IT JUST NEED TO BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO DO THIS OR WHERE I CAN GET A SERVICE MANUAL FOR THIS MACHINE.
THANKS IN ADVANCE, JIM
Answer Jim, you will not be able to get a service manual for the machine. The problem sounds like a reel tilt in which the reels are not indexing properly. If the machine is fully electronic, you can take the reel baskets off the motors and clean the optics that are on the reel driver boards. If that doesn't do it, you may need to change the driver boards, the motors, the baskets, or you could have a CPU problem. Also, an open door signal to the CPU will prevent the machine from resetting properly. You may need to inspect all the door switches and wires. Also, the machine may need to have the RAM cleared, in which case you will need to pull the CPU and look for a jumper near the lower right corner labled RAM or CLEAR or other such name. I'm afraid reel tilts can be very easy to extremly involved and complicated to troubleshoot. Remember to always troubleshoot a slot machine from the outside in. So start with the door switches, then the reels, then move on to the harnesses, backplane, and CPU. Sorry I can't help you too much in this case. Ian
Ian B. Williams, author of "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1552700496, available at bookstores and other retailers of gambling books, online and in the real world. Find it at
- Barnes and Noble bookstores throughout the U.S.
- Indigo bookstores throughout Canada
- on the web at amazon.com, booksforgamblers.com, chapters.indigo.ca, bn.com, sportsandsoccer.com, half.ebay.com, greenbaycasino.com, gambleresource.com, pokeritits.com, casinobookreview.com, books.ontheweb.co.uk, bookfinder.com,
Can't find it? Then order directly from the publisher, Productive Publications, 416-483-0634, or visit their website at:
www.productivepublications.com or www.productivepublications.ca (in Canada)
Please visit my website at ibwilliams.tripod.com
Please visit my experts page at allexperts.com
I have been interviewed on the following radio stations: WVMI, WKRC, KEEL, WOAI, KFRU, WDEL, CHQR, CJAD.
