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| Photo: Natasha Dow Schüll |
99% Invisible
Americans spend more money on slot machines than movies, baseball, and theme parks combined.
Americans have always had an uneasy relationship with gambling. To circumvent anti-gambling laws in the US, early slot machines masqueraded as vending machines. They gave out chewing gum as prizes, and those prizes could be redeemed for cash.
Americans spend more money on slot machines than movies, baseball, and theme parks combined.
Americans have always had an uneasy relationship with gambling. To circumvent anti-gambling laws in the US, early slot machines masqueraded as vending machines. They gave out chewing gum as prizes, and those prizes could be redeemed for cash.
