In their early days, slot machines didn't pay out coins—they gave out chewing gum. This was a clever workaround for strict anti-gambling laws that banned betting machines. By awarding gum instead of cash, these devices were legally classified as vending or amusement machines, allowing them to operate without breaking the law.
Interestingly, Paul Gauselmann's journey didn't start with slots, but with jukeboxes. If you're curious about how these machines evolved, the <a href=\"#\">German Vending Machine Museum</a> is well worth a visit. German Vending Machine Museum .
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Chewing gum in slot machines