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I recently watched an episode of American Pickers which had a segment that took place in their Nashville store.
Sitting in their Nashville showroom was a Mills High top slot.
Last I heard, slots were still illegal in Tennessee. Does any one know if they have changed their law?

A lot of those slot machines laws are very old and vague. Yes, they most likely are banned but it maybe one of those laws that is not enforced unless someone files a complaint or the machine is used for illegal gambling. They are also against the law here in Nebraska but a few of us have spoken to people in authority and they are fine with the fact that the old slots are vintage or antique and not used for gambling or gaming. I wish we could get the law changed here in Nebraska so we could buy parts on ebay, ebay blocks our bids, but Nebraska is such a anti-gambling state that they said just let it be. If you read Nebraska law it states: It is against the law to possess a gambling device (slot machine) to be used for illegal gambling or gaming. The state does allow bingo and lottery. Like one person said, according to the law as it is written it would even be illegal to own a bingo game in your house. The intent of the law is prevent illegal gambling or gaming, not the possession of antique or vintage slot machines. To bad ebay doesn't see it that way. As it stand right now, I cannot even bid on a book about slot machines if it listed under a slot machine category.

Midcoast Vintage wrote:I recently watched an episode of American Pickers which had a segment that took place in their Nashville store.
Sitting in their Nashville showroom was a Mills High top slot.
Last I heard, slots were still illegal in Tennessee. Does any one know if they have changed their law?

I was in Nashville a few years ago on business and on the way back to the airport, I stopped at Antique Archaeology. There was a high top there (maybe the same one). I mentioned the Tennessee law to the store manager. He wasn't aware of the law but said he was going to discuss it with Mike Wolfe.

neocoinops wrote:

Midcoast Vintage wrote:I recently watched an episode of American Pickers which had a segment that took place in their Nashville store.
Sitting in their Nashville showroom was a Mills High top slot.
Last I heard, slots were still illegal in Tennessee. Does any one know if they have changed their law?

I was in Nashville a few years ago on business and on the way back to the airport, I stopped at Antique Archaeology. There was a high top there (maybe the same one). I mentioned the Tennessee law to the store manager. He wasn't aware of the law but said he was going to discuss it with Mike Wolfe.

I was watching an episode last week, and there was a Caille "Superior" on the counter behind Danielle, while she was talking
on the phone. They don't pick up Slots too often, but have had several Trade Stimulators. A few years ago, they bought a
Stephens "Magic Beer Barrel", and there was a Caille style "Winner Dice" on the same bench that they looked at, and didn't
even negotiate on it. Oh well!

The Caille Superior has made appearances on several episodes. Unknown if they film numerous in a row...seems like they do as Mike is always wearing the same shirt. Ive thought about callimg about the Superior but just figured it would be too expensive....cant see the tag good enough on tv. As far as the slot laws,who would even enforce them? I doubt local,county or state would.

I appreciate the replies that have come in so far.
While they are old laws... they are still laws.
Over the years, there have been a few collectors that have had their machines confiscated, and spent tons of money trying to get them back.
To lose say a high top or something would not be a tragic loss. But, what if it were a cast iron machine, or an upright, or... an entire collection? Now it gets serious. Then, add in the fines, your name in the paper, loss of investment capital, and...JAIL TIME! Who wants to become "BRIDE OF BUBBA" in a Tennessee prison?
So... before I consider opening another antique mall or just a slot and jukebox shop in Nashville... I want to be pretty clear on EXACTLY what the law is.

Well, a guy I know in one of these "can't have states"...... who owned a token only playing type gaming machine. it was the local Police who raided the house & took it away. he was able to prove this type of machine was legal in that state (home use , takes No money ,gives No money,ect.) , made No difference to the locals. They took the machine , nothing else.

Now for that Crappy show; don't believe much in what you see or hear. Lots of rigged buying on it for starters. If you go to their web site , it shows a whole lot on nothing to buy (or at least it did for a long time). like pawn stars , they make more $$$ off the show than flipping antiques. plus more $$$ selling junk related to the show.
jeff H.

Midcoast Vintage wrote:I appreciate the replies that have come in so far.
While they are old laws... they are still laws.
Over the years, there have been a few collectors that have had their machines confiscated, and spent tons of money trying to get them back.
To lose say a high top or something would not be a tragic loss. But, what if it were a cast iron machine, or an upright, or... an entire collection? Now it gets serious. Then, add in the fines, your name in the paper, loss of investment capital, and...JAIL TIME! Who wants to become "BRIDE OF BUBBA" in a Tennessee prison?
So... before I consider opening another antique mall or just a slot and jukebox shop in Nashville... I want to be pretty clear on EXACTLY what the law is.

Yes, Laws are Laws! At any given time, the powers that be, may come pouncing on you, when you least expect it.
I have heard of several confiscations over the years, here, and in other states. Mainly before that state applied for,
and had a collectable law passed. There were two different raids here in California. One was before we had our first
law passed, for 1941 or older. The second incident was not long after the law was passed, with a high-end collector,
that was 'very stupidly' selling later model slots, (mostly open fronts), out of a shop, and his home. Word got out to
the law, and when they conducted their raid, his entire collection was removed. Being as they didn't know where to
draw the line at 'Year', they take everything. Long story short - It took many hours in court, and thousands of green,
with fines, and lawyer fees, just to get back his older machines. All other machines were lost. No doubt, some of them
eventually made there way to officers homes. I know this for fact, because a cop friend I grew up with since high school,
brought a machine home, from one of their holding rooms. Luckily, it was a "Rol-A-Top", and legal at the time. So, for all
you collectors in Tennessee, always be aware of what could happen when you least expect it, as you don't want to lose
your very valuable early machines.

Yes, you are right, a law is a law and can be used against you. I am aware of the law where I live but I just hope for the best that there would be an understanding that this is a hobby not a casino.

I live in Alabama, one of the forbidden states, and when I retired and moved back down South a decade ago I bit the bullet and sold my beautiful all original unrestored coin front Rol-A- Top...I just do trades now and its better to sleep soundly than to worry....I knew this before hand and the other attributes of living here make up for any loss I feel for the slot...Bob