Slot machines got their name from the fact that people dropped coins through a slot to activate them. Drop a coin, pull the handle, and if the cylinders stop so that the identical pictures painted in them line up, the machine 'pays out.' Mechanical slot machines, with their wheels, cogs, and gears have changed little in the last century. But today, a slot machine mechanic must also know how to fix the computerized versions, the ones with no moving parts. As a result, they must not only be good with their hands, but also skilled in computer electronics.

Some casinos offer in-house training programs to teach the necessary skills. And most 'casino cities,' like Las Vegas or Atlantic City, have trade schools or junior colleges with courses on slot machine repair.

After all, slot machines are enormously popular and profitable. If they weren't, casinos wouldn't give them so much floor space. So, if you like to work with both your head an your hands, if you like both mechanics and computers, this could be an ideal job for you.