A gaming system includes at least one reel mechanism for a gaming machine. Each reel mechanism comprises a rotatable cylindrical reel basket, a light shield, and one or more light boards having first and second stationary light sources affixed thereon. The reel basket has first and second opposing light-diffusing rims and a symbol-bearing reel strip extending between the rims. The first and second stationary light sources are positioned to illuminate the first (and second) rim with first light and the reel strip with second light, respectively. The first and second light sources are positioned on opposite sides of a light shield. The light shield is positioned along and inside the first rim and inhibits the first light from illuminating a symbol-bearing region of the reel strip. A light guide is positioned between the first light sources and the first rim to maximize the flow of first light to the first rim.