Lingo
one-armed bandit
a gambling machine with a lever on the side that players pull after inserting coins in order to spin the reels
A one-armed bandit is a slang term for a slot machine, a popular gambling device found in casinos and other entertainment venues. The name comes from the machines lever, which players would pull with one arm to start the game, while "bandit" refers to the way the machine takes money from players. Slot machines feature a set of spinning reels with various symbols, and players win by matching these symbols in specific patterns. Over time, most slot machines have become electronic, with buttons replacing the lever, but the term "one-armed bandit" remains widely used.
Synonyms
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