So just how in the heck did slot machines go from where they started to the machines of pleasure we see today? Today, they are modern technical marvels, but in decades gone past, the slot machine was basically a simple mechanical instrument with revolving wheels-nothing fancy.

You pulled the arm and the machine took your money-thus the "one-armed bandit" label was coined. They were very primitive. Personally, I think slot machines have taken a step back. Let me explain.

For eons, the big lure of slot machines was their humongous house advantage-ouch-but their payout method. That's right. We all love when we hit a slot machine in the paying stomach and it spits out coins nonstop. Listen to the beautiful melody as those coins shoot down the barrel and into the metallic tray below. The whole world could hear when you won-and everyone loved it.

Today, it's so darn technical that our music and experience has been taken away. Now instead of signaling to the whole world that you've just scored, the slot machine calmly and silently prints out a redemption ticket. Clean, yes. Fun, no.

But let's look more at the fun side of evolution. In the old days, you'd throw in a coin or two, the wheels would spin and some money would pop out if you were lucky. Many got tired of this mundane play and let the slot world. Ah, but that's all gone now.

Slot machines are now mini video game systems. They have bonuses, side games, moving parts and more. My favorite has to be the Wheel of Fortune. I also loved Reel Em In, which was the first slot machine of its kind.

Walk into any casino (or go online) and gone are the simple 777 slot machine (mostly). Now you'll find branded video games. They got slot machines for CSI, Adam's Family, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, James Bond, Playboy and anything else you can dream up. In fact, there's a convention annually that pitches new brands and ideas to casino executives. I even saw some Elvis slot machines-hey, it's Vegas.

Virtual slot machines are the way of the future. I won't be surprised to see full-blown video games at some juncture. We're almost there now.

Since 2003, which is when WMS introduced the CPU-NXT with film-quality animation and high-resolution graphics, slot machines have evolved into next-generation gaming platforms. The future is bright for slot machines and slot machine players.