Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by Marcel Rousseau.
Some were previously published by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and in the book Postcard Memories Orillia.
The slot machines at Casino Rama are not the first ones to entertain us in the Orillia area.
Nov 16, 2019 The late Victor Battalia recalled occasionally playing these machines as a young man delivering orders around town in his family’s grocery truck. Victor got his driver's licence in 1934 and remembers at least 20 locations that boasted at least one slot machine. Almost every gas station, snack bar and restaurant made room for one.
During the Depression of the 1930s, slot machines were legal in Ontario and the businesses in town were quick to take advantage of any extra revenue during these hard times.
The late Victor Battalia recalled occasionally playing these machines as a young man delivering orders around town in his family’s grocery truck. Victor got his driver's licence in 1934 and remembers at least 20 locations that boasted at least one slot machine.
Almost every gas station, snack bar and restaurant made room for one. They were all five cent machines and didn’t pay out much.
Reg. Hill, of the Hill’s Restaurant family, operated Hills Recreation Hall at 82 Colborne St. W. and serviced at least 12 slot machines around town, including one at Murray Woodrow’s Restaurant across the road.
By the end of the 1930s, with the outbreak of war, slot machines were banned and destroyed with many disappearing into the homes of collectors.
Len’s Casino, a Supertest Gasoline Station that later switched to Shell, was located on the corner of Highway 11 (now Laclie St.) and Old Muskoka Road.
Original Mills Castle Front mechanical 10 cent slot machine from around 1934. This machine works perfectly, pays perfectly and is enjoyable to play. This is a very pretty slot machine and will look great in any room in your home.
This machine has a double working jackpot. There is a hidden jackpot on top of the jackpot that is displayed through the glass window. When the player gets 3 bars, the player wins 20 coins and all coins showing in the jackpot window. When the next coin is played, the hidden jackpot falls into place and fills the jackpot window. This encourages play on the machine since the jackpot is not empty signifying that it was recently paid out. Once the hidden jackpot coins fall into view, the machine starts filling up the reserve for the next time the jackpot is hit.
Virginia Sales Tax
Virginia sales tax is currently 6.0%. Sales tax for in-state orders applies to machines and parts. It does not apply to the delivery or repair services.
Warranty
As of August 1, 2014, we will no longer provide a warranty with our pinballs unless you purchase a separate warranty from us. A 1 year warranty is $500 or pay as you go if you even need it. If you buy it directly from us and take it home yourself, you will be inspecting it to ensure it works. If we deliver, we will ensure that it works 100% when delivered.
Reasons You Should Let Us Deliver Your Pinball (or Another Machine)
- We will NOT provide a warranty for the machine since we cannot be assured that a problem did not happen when you transported the machine. (As of August 1, 2014, we will no longer provide a warranty with our pinballs unless you purchase a separate warranty from us. A 1 year warranty is $500 or pay as you go if you even need it. If you buy it directly from us and take it home yourself, you will be inspecting it to ensure it works. If we deliver, we will ensure that it works 100% when delivered.)
- We take responsibility for any damage that may occur during the delivery process.
- We professionally set up the machine, connect all the connectors, attach the legs, head, etc. and ensure that the pinball works properly. If anything is out of adjustment due to moving the machine, we can fix it in a few minutes as compared to having to come to your house later and charging you a trip fee and repair charge.
- If anything major is out of adjustment, we can order parts and repair. This hardly ever happens but it could and you and the machine are protected.
Delivery Options
10 Slot Machines 1934 Machine
We are currently set up for local delivery only within the Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and North-Eastern West Virginia area. If you are interested in shipping the pinball machine, we will contact a shipper. You will pay all crating and postage costs.
10 Slot Machines 1934 Machines
If you would like us to deliver and set up within 50 miles of Purcellville, the charge is $300; within 100 miles $475. The delivery charge includes delivery to a first floor or basement level if walk-out.
10 Slot Machines 1934 Value
We will not sell you a game/deliver the game if the only entrance to your basement is an inside the house staircase. They are too narrow. Plus we have to ensure we don't mess up carpet or wood. It just isn't worth it.
You may also come and pick up the machine from our location.