Slot Machine Belly Glass

Slot machine belly glass came into vogue when the machines began to be manufactured with front-opening cases. Up until the 1950's, machines had a solid body placed on a wooden base with a detachable back. When service was required, the actual works of the machine could be slid out the back.

Ace was the first manufacturer to offer the front-opening style, designed with Pace machines by Casey and Norbe Michaels. The front door style allowed the belly glass to be designed for each machine's payouts, and also for each individual casino.

The Mills slot manufacturing company followed suit with front-opening machines and individualized belly glass, but Bally revolutionized the industry with the 1964 electro-mechanical MONEY HONEY slot. The new machine offered multiple-coin play and a spinning hopper that could pay out different jackpots.

By the early 1970's, small clubs were flooded with the Bally machines, each with a belly glass that proudly displayed "Bally." Larger casinos paid for the luxury of having their own name and logo on each machine.

As electro-mechanical slots were replaced by microprocessor-driven machines in the 1980's, most casinos drifted back to accepting factory-direct slots that once again featured the manufacturer's name. Unfortunately, this trend continues to today, robbing casinos of their individuality.