Slot machines are one of the most recognised types of gambling games, whether you encounter them online or inside a casino.
What many people don’t realise is that these machines are known by different names, depending on where you are in the world. These terms aren’t just slang – they reflect local culture and history, and they can help you understand how slot games have developed over time.
In this article, you’ll discover why slot machines are sometimes called puggies, pokies or bandits, and how each nickname tells a different story about the way people view these games of chance.
Slot Machine Nicknames
Slot machines are known by many names, and these nicknames often reveal something about where the games are played.
Some terms are still widely used today, while others connect back to the design of early mechanical machines.
Learning where these names come from can help you see how much slot games have changed, from the pull-lever machines of the early 20th century, to the digital versions you can now play online.
Why Are Slot Machines Called Puggies?
In Scotland, you may hear people call slot machines “puggies.” This word is part of Scots slang and has been around for more than a century. The origin is not fully clear, but many language experts link it to the Scots word “pug,” which was used to mean monkey. A “puggie” became a playful nickname for a machine that could take coins and sometimes pay them back. 
Fruit machines, which are traditional slot games that display fruit symbols, such as cherries or lemons, were often referred to as puggies in pubs and clubs across Scotland. The term is still familiar to many Scots today, even though the machines themselves have moved from mechanical reels to modern touchscreens.
Like all regulated slot games, puggies use Random Number Generators (RNGs) in their digital versions. This means every spin is independent, and outcomes cannot be predicted.
You can see the potential payouts shown on a paytable—a chart that lists winning combinations and how much they can return. However, it is important to understand that there is no strategy that ensures a win, since the games are designed around chance.
Why Are Slot Machines Called Pokies?
In Australia and New Zealand, slot machines are almost always referred to as “pokies.” The word is a shortened form of “poker machines.” Early versions of these games were based on poker hands—players could win if the reels displayed certain card combinations, such as pairs or a flush.
Over time, the machines evolved into electronic gaming machines with colourful graphics and themes, but the nickname “pokies” remained. If you travel in those countries, you might see the term used on signage, in advertisements, and in casual conversation.
Pokies in Australia are often found in pubs and clubs, as well as casinos, which is different from the UK, where fruit machines are more common in pubs and slot games are typically played online or in licensed casinos. The underlying principle is the same: outcomes are produced at random, and there is no way to influence the result of a spin.
Why Are Slot Machines Called Bandits?
The nickname “one-armed bandit” originated in the United States in the early 1900s. Early slot machines were mechanical and had a single lever on the side, which players pulled to set the reels in motion. This lever was 
the “arm.”
The “bandit” part came from the feeling that the machine could take a player’s money with little return. Although some players did win, the house edge meant the machine usually kept a percentage of all wagers.
For example, if a machine was designed with a 10% house edge, this meant that in the long run it would retain about £10 out of every £100 played.
Even though most modern slots now use buttons or digital screens instead of levers, the phrase “one-armed bandit” is still widely recognised. It highlights the long history of slot machines and the fact that they are games of chance, where outcomes cannot be influenced by skill.
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*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.