Mickey Wichinsky dies
An old-school icon of the gaming industry in the US, Mickey Wichinsky, died on Friday last week, aged 90. Wichinsky was a major designer of gaming machines throughout his working life and never stopped working on new ideas right up to his death.
He first appeared in the casino scene in Las Vegas in the mid-1950s when he was a partner in the Sands Casino and was noted for installing the first Bally slot machines there. He subsequently became a distributor for Bally in northern Nevada.
Wichinsky started Games of Nevada in the mid-1970s and with that company launched a number of notable successes, including Flip-It and the Bally Classic. In 2010 he sold Games of Nevada to Cantor Gaming.
He was recently awarded the Nevada Gaming Commission Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years’ service to the Nevada gaming industry.
By David Snook
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Comments (7)
Add Your CommentIt is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of our dear old friend Mickey Wichinsky. Mickey was a true pioneer in our industry, a daring visionary who helped lead Nevada into the great mecca that it is today. Together with other icons of our business, men like Sy Redd and Bill O’Donnell and Alex Wilms and Barney Sugerman, he opened Las Vegas to modern business techniques, and very lucrative new gaming machines. Through it all he raised a solid family, remained true to his roots, and was a friend and teacher to younger generations in the industry.
As one of those “young guys” I always appreciated that Mickey had time for me, and although our business dealings were sporadic we always shared good times together.
May you rest in peace, my friend.
Gold Coast International, Inc.
formerly Belam Distributing Company
Marc Haim
27/02/2013, 11:46
It is with a very heavy heart that I must inform you of the passing of our dear old friend Mickey Wichinsky .
Mickey was truly the last of the “Old School” icons of the coin machine industry, he was still designing and developing new casino games right up until is last breath, he passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, February 22 nd, 2013. he had turned 90 years old last November.
Mickey who went to Las Vegas in the mid 1950′s was an original partner in the “Sands” casino in Las Vegas, where he installed Bally’s very first slot machines, he later became the Bally distributor for Northern Nevada.
In the mid 1970′s he started Games of Nevada Inc, a company that was responsible for many innovative games such as the “Flip-It” and the Bally model “Classic”, it was only a few years ago that the Nevada Gaming Commission presented him with a lifetime achievement award for 50 years of service to the Nevada Gaming Industry.
In 2010 he sold Games of Nevada to Cantor Gaming PLC, but like the true coin machine man he was, he went right back into designing and developing new games, this he did up to as recently as the day before he died.
Mickey Wichinsky was surely the last of the
“Old School” pioneers, who can never be replaced.
Rest in peace my old friend, I miss you already.
Freddy Bailey
Freddy Bailey
27/02/2013, 11:48
Three great men now together will probably now start a coin company in heaven, as that is the only place they can be.
Mickey, like Abe and Sugie will never be replaced, there isn’t anyone I know who could hold a candle to them.
Michael
Michael Green
27/02/2013, 11:49
B’rooch Dayan Emet
Mickey is with Abe and Sugie!
Myron
Myron Sugarman
27/02/2013, 11:49
We are all very sorry to hear of the passing of Micky Wichinsky. He was a stalwart of the coin machine industry and a man of supreme influence in circles where it matters. He will be sorely missed.
Derek Horwood
Derek Horwood
27/02/2013, 11:50
I’m sorry to have to report, I’ve just been informed that Mickey passed away early today (February 22nd 2013). I have no further details yet. Good night, old friend.
Pete Hand
27/02/2013, 11:51
Thank you for your warm and thoughtful comments about my father. He so loved what he did in life, and loved his friends as family. My Dad was of the old school as he based his relationships upon trust and a hand shake. He was always willing to assist those in need and was a great father and provider to his family. I learned so much about life and business from my Dad and am eternally grateful for who he was to me and my family. I once asked him how we would like to be remembered and said that he was a good person and lived a full life.
Glenn Wichinsky
Glenn Wichinsky
02/03/2013, 11:56
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