King of the Slots: William Si Redd

This book offers the first full-length biography of the man often described as one of the most influential and innovative people in the gaming industry over the past 50 years.

King of the Slots: William "Si" Redd relates the fascinating, only-in-America success story of one man's improbable rise from the depths of poverty to the heights of international commerce and dazzling wealth. William Silas "Si" Redd is recognized as one of the most important and influential persons in the gaming industry over the past half century. The company he founded, International Game Technology (IGT), is the world leader in the manufacture of gaming equipment and gaming software features. His video poker is the most popular slot machine since the original debuted in 1899.

King of the Slots covers the life (1911-2003) and rags-to-riches story of the man who changed the face of the casino gaming industry. Both a business book and a biography, it introduces readers to the nation's leading gaming centers, Apollo-era technology and how it changed gambling, and the race to perfect the first video poker game. It also gives them a chance to meet the characters with whom Redd rubbed shoulders, including Howard Hughes, Mafia capo Raymond Patriarca, Arizona cowboy and pig farmer Jimmie Hughes, gaming legend Bill Harrah, and casino visionary Jay Sarno.

Author: Jack Harpster
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 05/05/2010
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.30w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780313382086

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2010 pg. 146

About the Author

Jack Harpster worked in business management in the newspaper industry for 43 years.