What is WMS?
WMS is one of the oldest companies operating in the gambling sector. The original company was founded in 1943 in Nevada and began life as a gaming and amusements manufacturer. There focus has changed significantly and the industry has developed and while they still have a role in the production and design of cabinet slot machines and gaming machines, their games are also available online at many bingo and casino sites.
The Williams Manufacturing Company
Harry E. Williams founded the Williams Manufacturing Company in 1943 and WMS itself came into being as Williams Electronics, Inc. in 1974. The company began manufacturing and designing traditional pinball machines but with the development of Williams Electronics, Inc they moved into arcade video games and coin-operated gaming.
The company we know today has been involved in many innovations in its time. Innovators before coin-operated and money-gaming were possible, WMS’ initial claim to fame was inventing the “tilt” mechanism all pinball machines use today. By the 1970s they’d made their name in coin-operating gaming, with their most recognisable titles including Paddle Ball and Robotron: 2084.
They launched their first mobile game in 2011 and by 2012 their intense and main focus became mobile and online gambling. They made successful partnerships with leading brands including Unibet, one of the first places you could find their games online. It took a decline in the land-based casino industry to nudge WMS online, but their success once they made the step is notable and can be seen in their huge range of different slots and online game developments available today.
The most recent and game-changing development at WMS occurred in 2013 when they themselves were acquired by a larger company. WMS became a subsidiary of Scientific Games in a deal worth $1.5 billion. They join an impressive host of brands who operated under the Scientific Games banner including Bally, Barcrest and most recently NYX Gaming. When playing at a WMS-powered bingo site or casino there are a wide range of slots and games to enjoy.
Recognisable WMS Technologies
WMS created a wide range of different unique technologies when they took to the online and video gaming world. The most well-known and recognisable ones included:
Cabinets
WMS innovate in the gaming cabinet industry, with the creation of multi-reel cabinets and integrated high-quality speakers ensuring an immersive gaming experience.
Operating Systems and Platforms
WMS utilise the latest technologies when creating their platforms. Operating platforms use processors inline with Intel Pentium IV and their most powerful NXT3 platform has been in operation since 2012 and is used in their cabinets and new games.
Transmissive Reels
Transmissive reels were one of the first technologies developed by WMS and is the familiar process of animations emerging on and over across mechanical reels. Adding interaction and entertainment to slots games, this innovation has changed up the way many designers create their games.
WMS Games Online
WMS has earned a position as a leading provider of enabling software and hardware, allowing some of the most popular games to be enjoyed. However, their portfolio of game offerings does include a number of industry leaders and proprietary titles which are well-known across many casino and bingo sites. Popular WMS slots include Reel ‘em in! and Jackpot Party. They have also created many licensed and branded slots including Top Gun, Star Trek and The Wizard of Oz. Becoming part of Scientific Games has allowed WMS to further expand their development and design of new games and there are regular new releases for players to enjoy.
Partnering with other leading brands in the industry has been key to the spread and popularity of their games. Since 2013 they have been connected to the Dragonfish bingo network, with all of their games available across the networked sites run by Dragonfish, the independent B2B arm of 888 Holdings.
WMS has allowed their parent company, Scientific Games, to build a stronger presence in land-based casino and bingo gaming. Many of the games regular casino players recognise from their favourite cabinets and machines are now part of the WMS Game Server library and this ensures even more enjoyment from their extensive range of games. Their role as a land-based games provider means they derive the majority of their revenue from the US, but they have expanded their position in other nations, particularly in Europe, with an online gaming centre based in Belgium.
The length of time WMS has been active in the industry adds real strength to the quality of their games offering. As mentioned, their games are popular with bingo players on the Dragonfish network, but they also maintain strong partnerships with other online gambling sites, including a whole range of recognisable casino and bingo names. WMS also offers games on social platforms including Facebook and has developed strategy-based games as well as those based purely on chance.