Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ slot announced

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

Mikohn Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas announced plans to develop a slot machine themed on the "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" brand.

The brand will be licensed from Ripley Entertainment Inc. of Orlando, operator of 39 museum-type attractions in nine countries. The Ripley's brand began with a famed cartoon strip series by Robert Ripley that highlighted unusual facts and oddities from around the world.

The brand is currently the basis of a television series aired on cable network WTBS.

"Ripley's has capitalized on the public's fascination with strange, unusual and amazing facts and oddities to create a unique entertainment franchise, which creates instant brand recognition and interest," said Mikohn Chairman and Chief Executive David Thompson. "The Ripley's brand has great potential as a casino slot game."

The first Believe It or Not themed slot should be introduced by mid-2001, Mikohn said.

The deal is the latest themed slot machine announced by Mikohn, which now produces slots based on games "Yahtzee" and "Battleship."