A lucky grandmother of 14, from Land O’ Lakes in Minnesota, won a whopping $2.5 million on a Wheel of Fortune slots machine at the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. Theresa (the lucky old girl doesn’t want to reveal her full name) bagged the win on a progressive slots machine, which she started playing because all the other slots machines were busy.

The gran is apparently still “numb” from her win and has said she doesn’t know “when it (the win) is going to sink in”, after the slot announced her win, Theresa thought “‘not me, this can’t be happening to me’, this can’t be happening to me.’ And then I said thank God!”

Theresa has suggested she’ll share her winnings with her family and will give careful thought to what she will do with her winnings.

Well, we thought it was all over folks, you know, the fact that a recent ruling allows slots in Maryland, we (or at least I) thought that it was done and dusted…The ruling was accepted and plans have been made to start up slots parlors in the state. Apparently though, Delaware, a state neighboring Maryland, have decided to start a new debate on the matter, with Delaware lawmakers proposing that those interested in maintaining the states monopoly on gambling should bring back sports betting in the state.

When nearby Pennsylvania started offering their own slots parlours, Delaware lost around $35 million in slots revenue, which has lead to critics suggesting Delaware should “act fast” if it wants to fight against Maryland’s recent ruling. Whichever way this whole debate pans out, rest assured that I’ll keep you informed.

Japan does tend to be the home of wacky inventions, but the new slots machine from Famista Inc. really pushes boundaries. Famista have announced that they intend on replacing the usual cherry, BAR and 7 symbols on slots…And replacing them with pictures of Japan’s most wanted. The hope is that by mixing the most wanted with entertainment more people will access them and it may jog some memories which’ll lead to crucial information on the criminals.

The slots are free to play, but unfortunately the only thing you win if you spin is more information on the criminals…Yipee! Still, we reckon that America should definitely take on this slots and crime-prevention mix, as who wouldn’t want to play a slots machine that involves terrorists, murders and kidnap victims? What’s that, you wouldn’t?…Why, you’d be doing your country a service, what sort of American are you?!

That’s all folks.

As we all know, whenever you visit a land-based casino and play their slots, you’ll usually experience the ticket-in ticket-out system, which was put into to place to allieviate the pressure on slots attendants who know longer have to lug around buckets of coins and if you’re lucky enough to hit the jackpot on a slot, you don’t have to clamber around counting all those nickels spraying from the slots machine.

However,  some gamers prefer the older coin-operated slots machines and devote their time to seeking out these relics of a gambling era gone by. Well, those who are a fan of gaming antiquities should head over to Kansas City’s Isle of Capri casino, who will be retiring their final seven coin-op slots machines shortly. The Isle casino manager, Brian Watts, has suggested that the retirement of these slots is “long overdue”, but slots lovers everywhere are shedding a little tear for these reels relics, which for some represent the golden age of casinos and slots machines.

Yep, it’s been a long journey folks, but we’re finally here…Barack Obama is the president-elect! Actually, that is good news as well, but I’m talking about the hard and arduous journey we’ve all taken when it comes to following Maryland’s turbulent relationship with slots. Thankfully, it’s at an end, as Maryland residents have voted….And allowed slots back into the state.

Slots were first banned in Maryland in 1968 and after forty years, they’re back. While the eagerness to allow these one armed bandits back in the state could be put down to the recent economic downturn, Maryland citizens believe that slots will provide important funding for schools. Apparently, slots will contribute around $600 million a year for Maryland, as well as opening up new job opportunities for residents.

One group of people who are particularly pleased at the slots referendum are those involved in the horse racing industry. Allowing slots back in Maryland will apparently recreate interest in the ailing passtime, with one horse trainer saying that the “future is definitely brighter” now that slots machines are legal in Maryland.

Of course, it’s not plain sailing from now on, as there’s still the matter of designating where slots parlours will go, which will prove to be a matter of contention for both businesses and residents nearby the proposed areas. However, allowing slots back in Maryland is an important step for those involved in the horse racing industry, the gaming market and even Maryland residents who just wish to spend their money as they please, without being told what to do by the state.