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5 facts about gaming

How many concerts did Elvis play in Vegas? Why aren’t residents of Monaco allowed to play in their own casino, and what does all this have to do with chewing gum?

approx. 1 min.
5 facts about gaming

Who would have thought?

Gaming is always a toss-up; some days you're up, and other days you're down. However, these five fascinating facts are a guaranteed win for anyone looking to learn something new.gaming. But with these five facts, you’ll definitely be on the winning side.

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Get the winning hand with these five intriguing insights into the world of gaming.

Here are the facts

Liberty_bell Kopie

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liberty_bell.jpg

Believe it or not, the very first slot machine didn't debut in a casino. It was created by Charles Fey, a German-American inventor and mechanic, who wanted to give his customers something to do while their cars were being serviced in his shop. His creation, the “Liberty Bell” (named after the iconic American symbol), became an instant hit thanks to its innovative three-reel system and automatic payout mechanism.

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Liberty Bell

Back in 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer walked into the <a href=\"#\">Excalibur</a> in Las Vegas and walked out a multimillionaire. After only a few minutes of play on a Megabucks machine, he hit a staggering 39.7 million dollar jackpot—the largest single payout in slot machine history. Excalibur in Las Vegas, winning 39.7 million dollars – the largest payout ever made by a slot machine. He struck the jackpot on the Megabucks slot machine after playing for just a few minutes.

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The biggest jackpot

Jackpot_5 Fakten

Image: © iStock/arthobbit

Elvis_Glücksspielfakten

Image: © iStock/matthewleesdixon

Elvis Presley was a fixture in Las Vegas, performing more than 800 shows throughout his career. His debut on July 31, 1969, didn't just breathe new life into his own career; it revitalized the city itself. At the time, the glitz of the 50s—the era of Sinatra and Dean Martin—had faded, leaving the city in the hands of less-than-reputable businessmen. By performing for over 2,000 fans that night, Elvis helped shift the city's reputation toward a more wholesome, family-friendly destination.

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Elvis in Vegas

Monte Carlo Casino

Image: © iStock/bruev

If you live in Monaco, don't expect to spend your weekend at the <a href=\"#\">Monte Carlo Casino</a> —residents are strictly forbidden from gambling there. This odd rule dates back to the mid-19th century when Princess Caroline passed a law to protect her own people from losing their fortunes. Her goal was simple: make sure the casino's profits came from wealthy foreign visitors instead. Monte Carlo Casino . In the mid-19th century, Princess Caroline introduced a law that is still in force today. Its purpose was to prevent the citizens of the principality from losing their money at the casino. Princess Caroline wanted the revenue to come from foreign guests.

Despite the local ban, the stunning Casino de Monte-Carlo remains as alluring as ever, serving as a playground where the global elite and celebrities gather for world-class gaming.

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Monaco’s gaming laws

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

Spielhalle Espelkamp Automatenmuseum

Take a trip back in time at the MERKUR Arcade Espelkamp, where you can explore a collection of vintage slot machines.

Facts, facts, facts

Still craving more intriguing stories from the world of gaming?

Then you should definitely dive into our <a href=\"#\">5 facts about MERKUR</a>! 5 facts about MERKUR !

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