IGT vs. Bally vs. Aristocrat: Comparing Slot Machine Brands

After 33 years selling used slot machines out of Kingman, Arizona, I have handled thousands of machines from every major manufacturer. The question I get asked most often is some variation of: which brand should I buy? The answer depends on what you want out of the machine, your budget, your technical comfort level, and whether you care about resale value down the road.

Let me walk you through the big three, then cover the secondary manufacturers that deserve attention.

IGT: The Industry Standard

Company History

International Game Technology started in 1975 as a small Reno operation and grew into the largest slot manufacturer in the world. They merged with GTECH in 2015 and now operate as IGT PLC out of London, but their slot manufacturing roots are pure Nevada. If you have ever walked into a casino anywhere in North America, you have played an IGT machine. They dominated the mechanical reel market for decades and transitioned into video slots without missing a beat.

Cabinet Types

IGT has produced more cabinet styles than any other manufacturer. The ones you will encounter most often on the secondary market include the S2000 (the upright mechanical reel workhorse), the Game King (the multi-game video platform that revolutionized bars and taverns), the AVP (Advanced Video Platform, their premium video cabinet from the mid-2000s), the G20 and G23 (sleek curved-screen uprights), and the Crystal Dual and Crystal Curve (their modern premium cabinets with massive displays).

The S2000 is the machine most people picture when they think of a slot machine. It is a 19-inch upright with three mechanical reels, a coin hopper, and a pull handle. We have sold more S2000s than any other single cabinet in our 33 years. They are the Toyota Camry of slot machines: reliable, parts are everywhere, and any tech can work on them.

The Game King platform deserves special mention. This multi-game video machine lets you offer poker, slots, keno, and blackjack all in one cabinet. The 17-inch upright version was the backbone of every bar and tavern route in Nevada for 15 years. We keep dozens in stock at all times because demand never stops.

Build Quality

IGT machines are built like tanks. The S2000 cabinet is heavy-gauge steel with a powder coat finish that holds up for decades. Internal components are modular and clearly labeled. Wire harnesses are color-coded and use standard connectors. The engineering philosophy is clearly meant for field service: everything is designed to be accessed, diagnosed, and replaced by a technician who might be working on 200 different machines across 30 locations.

The newer IGT cabinets (G20, G23, Crystal series) use more plastic and proprietary components, but they are still well-engineered. The trend toward larger displays and curved screens means more delicate components, but IGT builds them to withstand casino environments where machines run 24/7.

Parts Availability

This is where IGT absolutely dominates. Because they have the largest installed base in the world, parts are available everywhere. Bill acceptors, power supplies, hopper motors, reel mechanisms, logic boards, button panels, harnesses, and every other component you might need are stocked by multiple suppliers. You can find S2000 parts in five minutes of searching. Even for newer platforms, IGT parts availability outpaces every other manufacturer.

Maintenance Complexity

IGT machines are the easiest to maintain. Period. The S2000 can be diagnosed by a motivated homeowner with a multimeter and the service manual. Error codes are logical. Dip switches are labeled. The Game King requires a bit more software knowledge, but nothing exotic. We provide free lifetime tech support with every purchase, and most IGT issues can be resolved over the phone in under 15 minutes.

Resale Value

IGT holds its value well on the low end and depreciates predictably on the high end. An S2000 that sold for $500 ten years ago still sells for $400-600 today depending on the game. They do not spike in value, but they do not crater either. Game Kings hold steady. The newer video platforms depreciate faster because technology moves on, but there is always a buyer for a clean IGT machine.

Best For

First-time buyers. Home game rooms. Anyone who wants zero hassle with parts and service. People who love classic reel games. Bar or restaurant owners who want proven reliability.

Bally: The Premium Choice

Company History

Bally Manufacturing started in 1932 making pinball machines and entered the slot market in the 1960s. They were acquired by Alliance Gaming, then Scientific Games (now Light and Wonder). The Bally brand has been through corporate ownership changes, but their engineering DNA remained consistent through their peak production years. Bally machines from the 1990s through 2010s represent some of the finest slot engineering ever produced.

Cabinet Types

The Bally cabinets you will find on the secondary market include the Pro Series (S6000, 6000, and 5500 mechanical reel uprights), the Alpha platform (video uprights with the distinctive bow-tie top box), the V32 (a wide-body video cabinet with a 32-inch main display), the Pro V22 and V22HD (the standard video workhorse), and the U-Spin series (featuring the iconic physical spinning wheel on top).

The Pro Series mechanical reel machines are beautiful pieces of engineering. The S6000 in particular has a fit and finish that makes IGT's S2000 look industrial by comparison. The cabinet doors seal tighter, the chrome accents are actual chrome, and the glass is held with precision hardware rather than simple clips.

The Alpha platform is where Bally really made their mark in video slots. Hot Shot, Quick Hit, and dozens of other legendary titles ran on Alpha hardware. These machines have a distinctive look with their wide top box and crisp displays.

Build Quality

Bally built premium machines. The materials are higher grade, the tolerances are tighter, and the finish work is noticeably better than the competition. A Bally Pro Series machine sitting next to an IGT S2000 looks like a luxury car next to a work truck. The internal wiring is immaculate, with harnesses bundled and routed with obvious care.

The downside of premium build quality is premium complexity. Bally used more proprietary connectors, custom-designed components, and brand-specific solutions than IGT. This is not a problem when the machine is working perfectly. It becomes a factor when something breaks.

Parts Availability

Here is where Bally loses ground to IGT. Parts are available, but the supply is thinner. Bally-specific bill acceptors, power supplies, and logic boards have fewer sources. The Pro Series parts are still findable because enough machines were produced, but you might wait a week for something that would ship overnight for an IGT. The Alpha and V-series video platform parts are more specialized, and some components are genuinely hard to source.

We keep a deep inventory of Bally parts specifically because we know our customers will need them and cannot always find them elsewhere.

Maintenance Complexity

Bally machines are moderately complex to maintain. They are not difficult if you have experience, but they are less forgiving than IGT for a first-timer. Error codes require the manual (they are not as intuitive). Some adjustments require Bally-specific tools or knowledge. The Pro Series mechanical reel machines are actually quite serviceable, but the video platforms can be challenging for non-technicians.

Resale Value

Bally machines hold their value extremely well, often appreciating in certain cases. The Quick Hit series has become iconic and machines in good condition command a premium. U-Spin machines (with the physical spinning wheel) are highly sought after for home game rooms and consistently sell at the top of their price range. Clean Bally Pro Series machines are collector items.

Best For

Buyers who want a premium machine and are willing to pay more upfront. People who value aesthetics and build quality. Collectors. Anyone who specifically wants Quick Hit, U-Spin, or other iconic Bally titles.

Aristocrat: The Innovation Leader

Company History

Aristocrat Leisure Limited is an Australian company founded in 1953. They have been making gaming machines longer than most people realize. They entered the US market aggressively in the 2000s and have steadily gained market share with innovative game design and mathematics. If you ask a casino floor manager which brand players gravitate toward, the answer is increasingly Aristocrat.

Cabinet Types

Aristocrat cabinets on the secondary market include the MK5 (Mark 5, their older video platform from the early 2000s), the MK6 and MK6 XP (the workhorse platform that runs Buffalo and most of their major titles), the VIRIDIAN (a wide-body upright with premium displays), the Helix (a curved-screen premium cabinet), and the Arc (double-curved ultrawide displays).

The MK6 is the platform you will encounter most often if you are looking for Aristocrat games. It is a solid upright cabinet with good displays and reliable hardware. Not as heavy-duty as an IGT S2000, not as refined as a Bally Pro Series, but purposeful and well-designed.

Build Quality

Aristocrat build quality is good but not exceptional on the cabinet side. What sets Aristocrat apart is game design, not hardware engineering. The cabinets are competent, well-built machines that do their job without calling attention to themselves. The MK6 platform uses standard components where possible, and the internal layout is logical if not elegant.

The newer Aristocrat cabinets (Helix, Arc) are premium pieces with excellent build quality, large displays, and impressive visual presence. But these rarely hit the secondary market at accessible prices yet.

Parts Availability

Aristocrat parts are moderately available. Their growing US market share means more parts are entering the supply chain, but they still lag behind IGT significantly. The MK5 platform parts are getting scarce because those machines are aging out. MK6 parts are available through specialty suppliers and directly from Aristocrat's service division.

One advantage: Aristocrat uses some standard industry components (like JCM bill acceptors and standard power supplies) that are easy to source regardless of brand.

Maintenance Complexity

Aristocrat machines fall in the middle. They are not as straightforward as IGT, but not as proprietary as Bally. The MK6 platform uses a standard PC-based architecture that any competent technician can navigate. The game software is loaded from a proprietary cartridge system, which simplifies game changes but means you need the right cartridge for the title you want.

The most common issue we see with Aristocrat machines is CMOS battery failure, which is an easy fix once you know what to look for. Our tech support team walks customers through it regularly.

Resale Value

Aristocrat machines have the strongest resale value in the industry right now, driven almost entirely by demand for Buffalo and its variants. A clean MK6 running Buffalo will sell for more today than it sold for three years ago. That is unusual in this market. Other popular Aristocrat titles (5 Dragons, Queen of the Nile, Indian Dreaming, 50 Lions) also hold value well.

Best For

Anyone who wants specific game titles, particularly Buffalo. Players who care more about the game experience than the cabinet. Buyers looking for investment value (Aristocrat machines are appreciating). People who want games their friends will recognize from the casino.

The Secondary Brands

WMS (Williams/Scientific Games)

WMS made some of the most beloved slot games ever produced. Monopoly, Wizard of Oz, Jackpot Party, Zeus, and dozens of others. Their Bluebird and Bluebird 2 cabinets are distinctive with their round top displays and excellent sound systems. WMS machines are great for game rooms because the titles are recognizable and fun.

The challenge with WMS is parts. After Scientific Games acquired them, support for older platforms became spotty. The Bluebird cabinet uses some components that are genuinely difficult to source. If you buy a WMS machine, buy from a dealer who can support it long-term. We stock WMS parts specifically for this reason.

Build quality is good. Resale value is moderate to strong depending on the title. Monopoly machines always sell.

Konami

Konami makes excellent video slot machines with distinctive Asian-themed games (China Shores, Dragon's Law, Lotus Land) and strong all-around titles. Their cabinets are well-built and use mostly standard components. The Podium and Concerto platforms are reliable workhorses.

Parts availability is fair. Konami has a smaller installed base in the US, so parts suppliers carry less inventory. But the machines themselves are reliable and rarely need major service.

Konami is a solid choice for someone who wants something different from the big three without sacrificing reliability.

Ainsworth

Ainsworth is another Australian manufacturer (actually founded by Aristocrat's original founder, Len Ainsworth, after he sold Aristocrat). They make good machines with solid games. The A600 platform is their workhorse. Build quality is comparable to Aristocrat.

Parts can be challenging to find because their US installed base is smaller. But the machines are well-engineered and rarely need anything beyond routine maintenance.

Popular titles include Mustang Money and Eagle Bucks. These are good machines at usually lower prices than comparable Aristocrat units.

Aruze

Aruze (now Universal Entertainment) is a Japanese manufacturer that makes distinctive machines often featuring innovative bonus round mechanics. Their cabinets are well-built with good displays. The Muso and Innovator platforms are solid.

Parts availability is the weakest of any brand we carry. Aruze machines are great when they work and frustrating when they need parts. We sell them, we support them, but we make sure buyers understand the parts situation upfront.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Reliability (Best to Acceptable)

IGT leads reliability because of simple, proven designs and massive field testing across hundreds of thousands of installations. Bally is close behind with excellent engineering. Aristocrat is solid with occasional quirks. WMS and Konami are reliable. Ainsworth and Aruze have smaller sample sizes but perform well.

Parts Availability (Best to Most Difficult)

IGT is unmatched. Bally is good but thinner. WMS is getting harder. Aristocrat is moderate and improving. Konami is fair. Ainsworth is challenging. Aruze is the hardest.

Ease of Service (Simplest to Most Complex)

IGT S2000 is the easiest machine in the industry to service. IGT Game King requires moderate knowledge. Bally Pro Series is straightforward for mechanicals. Aristocrat MK6 is middle of the pack. Bally video platforms require experience. WMS Bluebird can be tricky. Konami and Ainsworth are moderate. Aruze requires manufacturer-specific knowledge.

Resale Value (Strongest to Weakest)

Aristocrat leads right now due to Buffalo demand. Bally holds well due to collector interest and iconic titles. IGT is stable and predictable. WMS holds on title strength. Konami, Ainsworth, and Aruze are softer but reasonable.

Game Library (Most Recognizable Titles)

IGT has Double Diamond, Triple Diamond, Wheel of Fortune, Red White and Blue, Cleopatra, and Texas Tea. Bally has Quick Hit, Blazing 7s, U-Spin, and Cash Wizard. Aristocrat has Buffalo, 5 Dragons, Queen of the Nile, and 50 Lions. WMS has Monopoly, Wizard of Oz, Zeus, and Jackpot Party. Each brand has titles that players recognize instantly.

Making Your Decision

Budget Under $1,500

You are looking at IGT S2000 reel machines or older IGT Game Kings. This is where IGT dominates the value proposition. You get a reliable, serviceable machine with parts everywhere and games people love. Double Diamond and Red White and Blue are classics for good reason.

Budget $1,500 to $2,500

The sweet spot opens up considerably. Newer IGT video machines, Bally Alpha platforms, base-model Aristocrat MK6 units, and WMS Bluebirds all compete in this range. Choose based on which games you want and how comfortable you are with maintenance.

Budget $2,500 to $4,000

Premium territory. Aristocrat Buffalo variants, Bally U-Spin machines, loaded multi-game setups, and newer video platforms from all manufacturers. At this price point, buy the game you love and the brand becomes secondary.

Budget Over $4,000

You are looking at rare titles, premium cabinets, multi-machine setups, or the newest technology available on the secondary market. Collector pieces and conversation starters.

Our Recommendation

After 33 years and over 10,000 machines sold, here is my honest advice: buy the game, not the brand. If you love Buffalo, buy an Aristocrat. If you love Wheel of Fortune, buy an IGT. If you love Quick Hit, buy a Bally. The machine you play most is the one with your favorite game on it.

But if you have no strong preference and just want a solid machine for your game room, IGT is the safest choice. Parts are everywhere, any tech can work on them, they hold value, and Double Diamond on a mechanical reel machine is still one of the most satisfying experiences in gaming.

We carry all seven brands, we stock parts for all of them, and our free lifetime tech support covers every machine we sell regardless of manufacturer. Come see our 334 machines in stock at our Kingman showroom, or call us to talk through which brand and model fits your situation.