WMS Gaming - A Scientific Games Company
WMS Gaming is a Chicago based company that manufactures video lottery terminals, slot machines, and casino management software. In addition, the company develops and designs online and mobile casino games. WMS Gaming belongs to WMS Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, which acquired it in 2013.
The WMS Story: The story of WMS Gaming began in 1943 when Williams Manufacturing Company was launched. In the eighties and nineties, William Manufacturing Company manufactured video arcade games and pinball machines. In 1996, Williams’ video game library was transferred to Midway Games, its subsidiary.
Williams Gaming, a brand new division, was launched in 1991 so that the company could launch video lottery terminals. In 1996, the company launched Reel Em In, its first slot game. Very recently, WMS created games such as Boom, Filthy Rich, and Jackpot Party, which soon became very popular.
In 2001, WMS released its participation slot series, based on the theme of Monopoly. Subsequently, the company launched more participation slots such as The Lord of the Rings, the Wizard of Oz, Hollywood Squares, and Clue, to mention just a few.
In October 2013, WMS Industries, the parent company of WMS Gaming, merged with Scientific Games and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games.
WMS Gaming Today: WMS Gaming or Williams Interactive, as it is also called, makes most of its profit from US gamblers. Its main offices and manufacturing units are in Illinois, but it has other offices all over the US and in other parts of the world such as Austria, Australia, Argentina, India, China, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, and Spain. The vendor also has an online gambling centre in Belgium.
| WMS Facts | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago |
| Founded | 1943 |
| Licensing | Operates under multiple licenses |
| Third Party Branding Deals | None |
Products and Services Overview
WMS Gaming not only manufactures gambling machines for land-based casinos, but also the G+ video reel slot series, mechanical reels, video lottery terminals, and poker games. In 2010, the company began offering online gambling services in the UK. In 2011, it launched jackpotparty.com for US residents.
WMS is also into social gaming. In 2012, the vendor signed a deal with Large Animal Games to develop Lucky Cruise, a Facebook game app based on the theme of a cruise ship. This game challenges players to collect lucky charms for playing games with the help of their Facebook friends. The game is similar to a slot, but involves a little of strategy.
Here is a list of the products offered by WMS Gaming:
Transmissive Reels: This is a gaming platform that features video animations that appear to interact heavily with mechanical reels.
Operating Platforms: The vendor introduced its CPU-NXT3 platform in 2012 especially for new cabinets and participation games.
Cabinets: In addition, WMS created the Bluebird2 game cabinet with HD display, wide screen, bill acceptor, illuminated printer, and Bose speaker.
Unique Features of WMS Gaming
WMS displays the following unique features:
- Also known as Scientific Games or Williams Interactive
- Online games packed with special features
- Low risk games with Colossal Reels feature
WMS's Games Portfolio
Johnny Cash was brought to life on the reels by WMS / SG Gaming.
Players will find an attractive selection of WMS games at online casinos that offer multi-provider game portfolios. Although the focus of WMS Gaming is on land-based casino content, the vendor has developed an exciting library of online casino games such as table games, card games, video poker, slots, and specialty games.
Here is a brief overview of some of the games players can find at online casino's offering WMS games:
- Card games such as Caribbean Stud, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Vegas Three Card Rummy, and Party Pairs
- Table games such as American Roulette and European Roulette
- Video poker games such as Bonus Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker Deluxe, Deuces Wild, and Aces and Eights
- Keno games
- Slot games such as Rainforest Dream, Viking Vanguard, Gems Gems Gems, Cool Jewels, and Roman Chariots
Players will not find any casino powered by WMS alone. Usually, online casinos offer WMS games along with games from other providers.
Play WMS Games on the Move
A huge chunk of the WMS Gaming portfolio is available on a wide range of Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. This means that players can play on the move, for fun or real money, whenever they like.
Awards and Accolades
WMS Gaming has won several industry awards in recognition of its achievements and game innovation. In April 2009, the provider won four awards for player focused products in Casino Journal's top twenty most innovating gaming technology products awards for the year.