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50 Things That Made the Modern Economy

Factual: Money

The stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which helped create the economic world

Tim Harford tells the fascinating stories of inventions, ideas and innovations which have helped create the economic world.

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50 Things That Made the Modern Economy: Slot machines

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Slot machines

29/02/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy, Slot machines

Spinning wheels, flashing lights, and the business of addiction

Beneath the spinning wheels and flashing lights is a frighteningly effective money-maker. Tim Harford examines what slot machines reveal about the business of addiction.

First developed by a toy company in the 1890s, slot machines have become one of the most profitable tools of the gambling trade - but many who play them say winning isn't the point. So why can't people pull themselves away? Tim Harford looks under the spinning wheels and flashing lights to see what these devices reveal about the business of addiction.

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