How to Ship an Antique Slot Machine Safely (and When Not To)

Antique slot machines are heavy, top-heavy, and full of parts that don't like being dropped: cast fronts, glass windows, reels on shafts, and a mechanism that can shift inside the case. Most shipping damage happens because a machine was packed like a piece of furniture instead of like a precision instrument inside a heavy box.

This guide covers the options for getting a machine from A to B, how to prepare and pack it, and the checks to make before it leaves. It applies whether you're a buyer arranging shipping, a seller packing one, or a collector moving house.

Step zero: legal and carrier checks

Carriers and freight brokers have their own policies too, and some won't carry gambling devices at all. Describe the shipment honestly when you request a quote. Mislabeling a machine to get it accepted can void any insurance claim and can create legal trouble you don't want.

Your shipping options compared

For most people, in-person pickup or a blanket-wrap service is the right answer. Crated freight works, but every forklift transfer is a chance for trouble, so the packing has to assume rough handling.

Preparing the machine

1. Empty it. Remove all coins or tokens from the payout tubes, jackpot and coin box. Loose coins rattling around a mechanism in transit cause damage.
2. Photograph everything. Every side, the castings, the glass, the mechanism, the serial number. These are your condition record if anything goes wrong.
3. Secure the mechanism. Follow your service literature. Many collectors pad around the mechanism so it can't shift and immobilize the reels so they can't spin freely. Some sellers remove the mechanism and ship it separately in its own padded box; that's a judgment call that depends on the machine.
4. Remove loose and fragile parts. Take off anything that can come off easily and break: handles on some models, loose decorative pieces, removable glass. Bag, label and pack them separately.
5. Lock or tape the doors. Lock the back door and coin box, and tape over keyholes so nothing snags. Ship the keys separately or hand them over in person, not inside the machine.

Packing that survives freight

Think in layers. The goal is to keep anything hard from touching the castings and to keep the machine from moving inside its box.

• Glass first. Cover windows with protective film or painter's tape in a grid, then a layer of foam or cardboard.
• Castings next. Wrap the front with foam sheet, then bubble wrap. Pay extra attention to protruding details and the handle area.
• Whole machine. Wrap in moving blankets, held with stretch wrap rather than tape directly on the finish.
• Crate or pallet. The machine should ride upright, be strapped or blocked so it can't slide, and have padding between it and every crate wall.
• Label clearly. “This side up,” “Fragile,” and “Do not stack” on every side.

Moving blankets, stretch wrap and foam are inexpensive compared with a cracked casting. Browse moving blankets and stretch wrap on Amazon if you're packing yourself.

Stands and bases

If the machine comes with a stand, ship the stand separately and pack it on its own. A slot strapped to its stand is very top-heavy and more likely to tip. Remove the machine from the stand, wrap the stand on its own, and reassemble at the destination.

Lifting and loading safely

Antique slots are heavy for their size, with most of the weight up high where the mechanism sits. Ask the seller for the approximate weight before you arrange pickup. Plan for two people, use a hand truck with straps and padding, and lift with the machine upright. Never lift by the handle, a casting, or the jackpot area. Grip the case.

In a vehicle, the machine should ride upright, strapped to an anchor point and padded on all sides. A machine lying on its back can shift its mechanism and stress the case. If you must lay it down, consult the service literature for your machine first.

Insurance, documentation and disputes

Ask what coverage the carrier offers and what it actually covers. Standard carrier liability may be far lower than the machine's value, and some carriers exclude certain items. A separate shipping insurance policy may be available. Read the terms.

Agree in writing with the other party on:

• Who arranges and pays for shipping and packing.
• Who files a claim if the machine arrives damaged.
• How long the buyer has to inspect on arrival.
• Whether the machine was described as working before it shipped, and with what evidence.

On delivery, inspect before you sign if the carrier allows it, and note any visible damage on the delivery paperwork. Photograph the crate before you open it.

Buying a machine you'll have shipped

Before you buy at a distance, factor in the full cost and risk of moving the machine, and ask about packing before the sale rather than after. Browse antique slot machines on eBay and filter by distance to find machines within driving range. You can also look at slot machine stands on eBay if your machine is coming without one, and research sold listings to see how other sellers handled shipping in their descriptions.

Our post on shipping vintage gumball machine globes covers packing glass in more detail, and our guide to documenting a machine explains how to build a useful photo record.