
WMS Industries has made a significant impact in the gaming industry. Founded in 1943, the company has been a major player for over 75 years.
Their first major innovation was the creation of the first electromechanical slot machine, the "Money Honey", which was released in 1964. This machine paved the way for modern slot machines.
WMS Industries continued to innovate with the release of the "Blazing 7s" slot machine in 1986, which was one of the first to use a microprocessor. This marked a significant shift towards electronic slot machines.
The company's innovative spirit has led to numerous industry firsts, including the development of the first wide-area progressive (WAP) slot machine system in 1996.
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Company History
WMS Industries was founded in 1965 by John W. Middendorf, with its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
The company started out as a small manufacturer of industrial cleaning products.
WMS Industries' early success can be attributed to its innovative approach to cleaning solutions, which quickly gained popularity in the industrial sector.
The company's headquarters remained in Chicago for over 50 years, a testament to its roots and commitment to the local community.
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First Slot Machines

WMS entered the reel-spinning slot machine market in 1994, marking a significant shift in the industry away from generic mechanical slot machines.
The company's video gaming roots proved to be its strength, as it introduced its first hit casino slot machine, Reel 'em In, in 1996. This game was a "multi-line, multi-coin secondary bonus" video slot machine that set the stage for future success.
By 1996, WMS had transferred its video game library, including Defender, Stargate, and Robotron: 2084, to Midway as it took the company public. This move paved the way for WMS to focus entirely on the gaming machine industry.
With the closing of its pinball division in 1999, WMS shifted its attention to developing successful games like Jackpot Party, Boom, and Filthy Rich. These games helped to grow the industry as additional states permitted casino gambling and video lottery games.
WMS's introduction of its Monopoly-themed series of "participation" slots in 2001 revolutionized the industry. These games were licensed or leased to casinos, generating significant revenue for the company.
The company's participation games, including Men in Black and The Price Is Right, were networked within casinos and between multiple casinos, allowing players to win large jackpots. This innovative approach proved popular with players and profitable for WMS.
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Company History

Our company was founded in 1985 by a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to revolutionize the way people shopped online. They had a vision of creating a platform that would make it easy for customers to find and buy products from a wide range of sellers.
The first office was set up in a small warehouse in Silicon Valley, California. It was a humble beginning, but it marked the start of our company's journey to becoming a global e-commerce leader.
In the early days, our founders spent countless hours researching and testing different e-commerce models. They wanted to create a platform that would be user-friendly, secure, and reliable. After months of trial and error, they finally found the right combination of features and functionality that would set their company apart.
The company's early success was fueled by its innovative approach to online shopping. By 1995, our platform had attracted a loyal customer base and was generating significant revenue. This momentum continued to build over the years, with the company expanding its product offerings and investing in new technologies.
Industry and Technology
WMS Industries has a long history in the gaming industry, dating back to the 1990s when it introduced its first hit casino slot machine, Reel 'em In, in 1996.
The company's video gaming roots ultimately proved to be its strength, and it continued to produce successful games like Jackpot Party, Boom, and Filthy Rich. WMS followed this with a number of similar successful games.
Younger players raised on video games often seek more challenging experiences than traditional slot machine players. To cater to this demographic, WMS's machines incorporate surround sound, flat-panel display screens, and animated, full-color images.
The company's product designs have helped move the industry trend away from generic mechanical slot machines and toward games that incorporate familiar intellectual properties and more creative ways to pay off. WMS's licensed themes, beginning with Monopoly, have greatly expanded its sales and profits.
Here are some of the key technologies that WMS Industries uses:
- Transmissive Reels gaming platform, which employs video animation that is displayed around, over and seemingly interactively with mechanical reels.
- Operating Platforms: CPU-NXT2 incorporates an Intel Pentium IV class processor, up to 2 gigabytes of random-access memory, an ATI 3-D graphics chip-set, and a 40 gigabyte hard disk drive.
- Cabinets: The Bluebird2 gaming cabinet, which includes a dual 22-inch widescreen, high-definition displays, Bose speakers, and an illuminated printer and bill acceptor, was introduced in 2008.
By 2010, WMS had already begun to offer online gaming to persons over 18 years old in the UK, and in 2011 in the US at www.jackpotparty.com.
Products, Technology, Business
WMS Gaming's products have helped to move the industry trend away from generic mechanical slot machines and toward games that incorporate familiar intellectual properties and more creative ways to pay off.
The company's licensed themes, starting with Monopoly in 1996, greatly expanded its sales and profits. This was a significant shift from the traditional slot machine themes of card suits, horseshoes, bells and stars, varieties of fruit, black bars, and the Liberty Bell.
Some of WMS's machines incorporate surround sound, flat-panel display screens, and animated, full-color images to provide a more engaging experience for players. This is particularly appealing to younger players who are accustomed to video games.
WMS manufactures a range of products, including the G+ series of video reel slots, the Community Gaming family of interconnected slots, mechanical reels, poker games, and video lottery terminals.
The company's gaming platforms include the Transmissive Reels gaming platform, which employs video animation that is displayed around, over, and seemingly interactively with mechanical reels. This technology is based on the CPU-NXT2 operating platform.
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Here are some of the key features of WMS's gaming platforms:
- Transmissive Reels gaming platform
- CPU-NXT2 operating platform: Intel Pentium IV class processor, up to 2 gigabytes of random-access memory, ATI 3-D graphics chip-set, and a 40 gigabyte hard disk drive
- CPU-NXT3 operating platform: introduced in 2012 for participation games and new cabinets
In addition to its gaming platforms, WMS has introduced several new cabinets, including the Bluebird2, Blade, and Gamefield xD. These cabinets feature advanced displays, speakers, and other features to enhance the gaming experience.
Arcade Videogaming & Pinball
Arcade Videogaming & Pinball is an exciting industry that has been around for decades. The first arcade game, Computer Space, was released in 1971 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, who later founded Atari.
The popularity of arcade games led to the creation of dedicated pinball machines, which were first introduced in the 1960s. The first digital pinball machine was released in 1976 by Sega.
Classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders have become iconic and are still enjoyed today. These games were often played in dedicated arcades, which were a staple of 80s and 90s pop culture.
The rise of home console gaming in the 1980s led to a decline in the popularity of arcade gaming, but the industry has experienced a resurgence in recent years with the growth of retro gaming and classic arcade bars.
Gaming Machine Industry
The gaming machine industry has undergone significant changes over the years, particularly in the 1990s. WMS entered the reel-spinning slot machine market in 1994, but its video gaming roots ultimately proved to be its strength.
WMS's video slot machine, Reel 'em In, was a huge hit in 1996, featuring a "multi-line, multi-coin secondary bonus" game design. This was followed by other successful games like Jackpot Party, Boom, and Filthy Rich.
The company's focus on licensed themes, starting with Monopoly, helped expand its sales and profits. Some of these games are networked within casinos and even between multiple casinos, allowing players to win large jackpots.
By 2001, WMS introduced its successful Monopoly-themed series of "participation" slots, which the company licenses or leases to casinos. This approach has proved popular with players and highly profitable for WMS.
Here's a breakdown of WMS's revenue growth from 2006 to 2009:
Today, WMS continues to produce video gaming machines and reel-spinning slots for sale and lease to casinos and state lotteries.
Acquisitions and Partnerships
WMS Industries has undergone significant changes in its ownership and structure over the years. In 2013, it was acquired by Scientific Games for $1.5 billion, with shareholders receiving $26.00 per share.
The acquisition led to WMS becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games. This move had a lasting impact on the company's operations and future.
Scientific Games continued to expand its portfolio by acquiring Bally Technologies in the following year. This acquisition added another prominent brand to the company's roster.
In 2016, WMS was fully merged into Scientific Games, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.
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Company Overview
WMS Industries is a company that's all about creating entertaining gaming products and providing top-notch service to its customers. They have a strong mission to deliver quality products that customers love.
Their employees are guided by a set of core values that include innovation, tenacity, passion, quality, and integrity. These values are at the heart of everything they do.
The company's employees work together as a team, collaborating to achieve common goals. This teamwork approach is a fundamental principle that drives their success.
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Review

WMS Industries initially made pinball machines before branching out to supply arcade video games. They produced some great classics like Paddle Ball, Defender, Stargate, and Robotron: 2084.
Their first home video game systems were ported from arcade versions, making them a staple in many game arcades. Many people growing up in the late 70s will remember them fondly.
The company was renamed Williams Industries Inc. in 1987, and their ticker symbol became WMS on the New York Stock Exchange. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history.
The spread of video games led to a decline in pinball machine sales, prompting WMS to enter the slot machine industry. Their background in video games proved helpful in launching their own reel slots.
Reel’Em In was their first hit slot, which became a launching pad for their success on casino floors worldwide. It led to the release of their Monopoly series, featuring interconnected slots with progressive jackpots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Williams pinball?
Williams pinball shifted its focus to producing slot machines after retiring from the pinball industry in 1999, achieving greater success. The company is now owned by Scientific Games, a leading gambling entertainment giant.
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