A disclosed slot reel peripheral has a slot reel, a drive mechanism and a peripheral controller. Using a standard communication protocol such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), the peripheral controller is configured to communicate with one or more master gaming controllers or other slot reel peripherals via a peripheral connection. The peripheral controller may drive the slot reel from position to position by operating the drive mechanism and may send operating instructions to other slot reel peripherals with peripheral controllers. Further, the peripheral controller may control one or more specialized "peripheral devices" (e.g., effects lights, back lights, bar code detectors, tampering sensors, position sensors, sound devices, electro-luminescent devices and stepper motors, etc. that perform specific functions of the slot reel peripheral).