A slot machine is a gaming device that accepts cash or paper tickets with barcodes to play. It spins a reel and pays out credits for combinations that match a specified number of symbols. The symbols used to play slot machines vary depending on the theme of the game, but some of the most popular are bells, fruits, and stylized lucky sevens. The bonus features of slot machines are also aligned with the theme. Some machines have more than one bonus feature, and a player can win several times his or her initial investment.

States with slot machine laws vary by their level of regulation. In Nevada, the government has no restrictions on private ownership of slot machines. In New Jersey, slot machines are allowed only at casinos in Atlantic City. In Louisiana and Indiana, casino-style gambling is only allowed on riverboats. However, after Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi removed this requirement for Gulf Coast casinos. In the United Kingdom, slot machine rules are governed by the Gambling Act 2005 and the definitions of the Gambling Commission. In other states, there are no restrictions on private ownership of slot machines.

In ice hockey, a slot is a rectangular area near the blue line. A slot also serves as the fourth position in a flying display. The term is related to the verb sleutana and is cognate with the German Schloss. Slots are no longer widely used in new computers. Instead, most modern computer models use sockets. The purpose of a slot is to increase efficiency in a busy airport. It keeps planes from being delayed repeatedly due to multiple flights.