Cheating at Slots 2020
- How To Beat A Slot Machine Electronically
- Tricks To Beat Slot Machines
- Device To Beat Slot Machine
- App To Beat Slot Machines
- How To Beat The Slots
Knowing how slot machines work is the first step to learn the best slots secrets and tips to improve your chances to win. Despite the popularity of these games, slots are not easy to beat both when you play them on the best online casinos and at land-based slots rooms. Slots are games of. Choose Slots with Highest Payouts. This might seem like an obvious thing, but you’d be surprised to.
The machines can hold 1,000 coins or tokens, therefore, if this device is used on a $1.00 machine, then it can be emptied of $1,000.00 in SECONDS!!! Also works on Video Poker machines. Effective on ALL denomination machines: Quarter, $1.00, $5.00, $25.00, $100.00, etc.
Cheating at slots is often frowned upon but it is certainly an interesting subject. There are many stories of people who have successfully attempted cheating at slots.
Reading about various methods used by these people to cheat slot machines may be exciting, but you should definitely be cautious when you give it a try in real life. Modern slot machines are highly advanced and very difficult to take advantage of.
There are as many as 3 million slot machines in brick and mortar casinos across the world. Slots are often one of the biggest contributors to a casino’s revenue. As much as 80% of a casino’s income may come from its slot machines. So slot cheats can do some serious damage to a casino’s business.
According to estimates, gaming establishments in Nevada alone have had to bear a loss of millions of dollars every year as a result of slot machine cheating. This is one of the reasons why modern casinos have surveillance cameras covering every inch of the place.
Various Slots Cheat Methods
A big casino can have around 5,000 slot machines or more and continuously monitoring all the machines may not be possible. This provides an opening for slot cheats to try their luck. Slot machine cheaters have tried a number of different techniques in an effort to make big money, these include:
Cheating with coin and string or yo-yo method
This was one of the oldest methods used by cheaters to trick slot machines. The concept was simple. Cheaters used to attach a string to a coin before inserting it into the slot machine. After the machine registered that a coin has been inserted, the person used to simply pull out the coin using the string taped to it.
This enabled the person to use the same coin over and over again to add to his/her credit without investing a single penny. Because of the yo-yo like action of dropping the coin and pulling it back up, this method is also called yo-yo method.
Some cheats have tried using this same trick with bills as well. They would attach a string to a bill instead of a coin before dropping it into the slot machine and pull it out once the money was registered.
The problem with this method was that it involved a visible string coming out of the coin slot, which would be difficult to justify for the fraudster. Since the discovery of yo-yo method, the slot machines have been modified to ensure that the coins once dropped into the machine can not be pulled out.
Cheating with devices like the monkey’s paw
Devices like the monkey’s paw, which was a foot long flexible steel rod bent into the shape of a claw, were also a popular method of cheating at slots. The device was inserted into a slot machine through the payout outlet and used to tamper with the coin counter to cause overpayment.
The monkey’s paw was one of the early devices used by slot cheats. Since then other devices that can tamper with a slot machine’s coin comparator have also been invented and used. Such devices, when inserted into the machine, could generate fake signals so that credit would be registered without any coins being inserted.
This enabled the cheater to play without making any payment or make money simply by cashing out. Today most casinos use highly sophisticated machines that cannot be tampered with such devices.
Cheating with shaved coins or tokens
This was another popular method of cheating at slots used by fraudsters in olden days. The cheats realized that if they shaved off a tiny bit of a coin and dropped such coin in a slot machine, the coin would be registered, but it would be rejected and discharged.
This meant that the person could keep using the same coin again and again to add credit just like the coin and string method, but without the disadvantage of a visible string sticking out.
In order to avoid such cheating, many casinos started using tokens instead of coins in their slot machines. But cheaters have tried the same trick with tokens as well i.e. using shaved tokens to cheat slot machines.
With hundreds of cameras surveying every inch of modern casinos, a fraudster is sure to draw attention, if he/she tried this method. Moreover, the sophisticated machines used today ensure that the rejected coin/token is not registered in the credit.
Cheating with foreign coins
Fraudsters have even tried cheating casinos using foreign coins. They used foreign coins having a close resemblance to the US currency, but a very low value. The value of these foreign coins would be as much as ten times lower than the American coin it would be mistaken for.
This resulted in a significant loss for the casinos. But it is almost impossible to fool the advanced slot machines of today with such a trick.
Cheating with fake money or token
The use of counterfeit money is not exactly a slot cheating method, but slot machines are often used to launder fake bills. Good quality fake bills can closely resemble the real ones and the electronic sensors on slot machines may not be able to catch the difference.
This means that there was no way to catch the cheat as he will be long gone by the time the machine is opened and fraud discovered. Some cheats have even tried producing fake tokens that resemble the ones offered by a particular casino.
The disadvantage of these methods is that producing fake bills or tokens is not so easy. Also, producing counterfeit bills is a very serious crime and the cheater can end up spending many years in jail. Counterfeit token are also taken very seriously by casinos and cheaters can expect strong action.
Cheating with mini-lights – Slot machine cheaters have even tried blinding the machines. They made use of mini-lights, which is a small battery operated light emitter, to tamper with the optical sensors of slot machines, which are used to count coins to be paid out. This sometimes resulted in overpayment. But the modern slot machines come with safeguards against such devices.
Cheating by a casino insider
In the history of slot frauds, there have been a few cheaters who have made ambitious plans of introducing errors in the slot machine program before its installation in a casino, so that it paid out on pressing buttons in a particular pattern.
The success of such a plot is impossible without the help of a casino insider and a real programmer. Majority of such plots have ended up in failure with the fraudsters serving long jail terms.
As slots machines become more and more sophisticated, cheaters are also coming up with advanced techniques of cheating. But with the introduction of hi-tech slot machines that accept only cards, not coins, the future of slot cheats is bleak.
One of the most famous fraudsters in the history of slot cheating
Tommy Glenn Carmichael is a slot cheating legend. He is probably the most famous person in the field. Although a cheater, Tommy’s mechanical genius can’t be denied. He started his slot cheating career using a device called a ‘top-bottom joint’. The initial success encouraged him to close his shop and leave for Vegas. But soon he was caught and sentenced to prison.
Five years of jail time could not change Tommy. On getting out of the prison, he realized that slot machine technology had changed. He soon educated himself and came up with the famous monkey paw device mentioned earlier. As the slot machine technologies kept changing, Tommy kept coming up with newer devices to cheat them.
When slot machines started using the optical sensor technology, Tommy invented a light wand that could blind these sensors. He managed to overcome the slot machine safety device called the actuator arm with his ‘hanger’. According to records, he took 7 cruises within 6 months in 1995, winning huge amounts of money in casinos at these ships.
The following year Tommy was arrested, but the charges were dropped. He still did not mend his ways. He was arrested once again in 1998-99 and in 2001 he was sentenced to a year in prison, 3 years of probation and prohibition from entering casinos.
He is listed in the Nevada black book, which lists various casino fraudsters and the methods used by them. Slot cheats account for about 27% of the entries in this book.
Tommy has finally changed sides and is now working with casinos to develop an anti-cheating technology to prevent people like him from cheating. He now aims to make a fortune by selling products that prevent cheating, as opposed to earlier days when he was known for his inventions that helped fraudsters to cheat at slot machines. He has also been featured in “Breaking Vegas’ series on the History Channel.
Rather than cheating and ending up on the wrong side of the law, strategic gaming can help you win big legally. If you get rid of the misconception that gambling is all about luck, you will realize that strategies do play a role in winning at any casino games, including slot machines.
It’s December 2014. Four Russian nationals are indicted by the U.S. federal government for using electronic devices to cheat slot machines. According to the indictment, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to cheat at least 10 casinos in Missouri, California and Illinois using the mysterious devices.
The story broke without much fanfare. No big deal. Nothing to worry about. Everything is under control.
Not exactly.
How To Beat A Slot Machine Electronically
Getting Whacked
It might just be that this is the scam of the century. The start of a new wave of casino cheating that most of us never imagined and none of us are prepared for. It’s so new that it doesn’t have a name, so I’m going to call it “whacking”—hacking with a W (for win) in front of it. I guess it was only a matter of time before hackers took their attention away from stealing Target shoppers’ identities or selfies of naked celebrities.
The information available on the details of the scam is limited to the public, which in this day and age is par for course when it comes to big casino cheating cases. The FBI is not saying much, the casinos are not saying much and of course, the manufacturers are not saying much. To the defense of some, the devil in the detail has not been released yet, quite simply because how the devices work is not exactly clear.
This is what we publicly know. According to information on the FBI website, the devices were used to predict the behavior of certain slot machines from several major slot manufacturers. By communicating with a foreign server, the devices allowed the defendants to predict the behavior of the vulnerable games and obtain winnings from the games that far exceeded what would be expected from fair play.
OK, can I buy a word on this explanation? “How” would be good. I’m no Xbox guy. I’m more of an Atari guy. How does a device predict the behavior of a slot machine? Can computers get to know other computers and then get them to do things they don’t normally do?
The question of how these mysterious devices work is the hot topic of the day in the world of casino game protection. Actually, it’s been the question of the day for about four years now, since casinos around the world started suspecting and observing strange activity by players using devices in their slot machine areas. Little snippets have been coming out of Europe and South America about how groups were winning on slot machines while at the same time spending a lot of time on their cell phones.
Tricks To Beat Slot Machines
It just didn’t look right, but the crooks were smart. They kept their winnings to smaller amounts to avoid any management or regulatory scrutiny as they went from casino to casino searching for the vulnerable machines, the way lions look for weak antelope.
What We Do Know
Casinos around the world have been hit by this scam for at least four years. Estimations for losses are in the millions. A group of more than 20 suspects has been identified to be involved in the scam.
The devices look like normal cell phones. The crooks stand next to particular machines for a period of time appearing to be recording the machine. The crooks leave the casino, then return to play the machines. They win constantly. Small amounts. Large frequency.
In some cases, surveillance video has revealed that the cash-out button on the machine would flash very rapidly during odd times (not consistent with normal operations). One property reported seeing the cash-out button flash rapidly as the suspect approached the machine.
On average, the crooks cash out a ticket every 20 minutes. Financial examination of machines hit can show a daily hold percentage variance of between 50 percent and 400 percent.
A theory floating around is that their consistent use of a cell phone coupled with the fact that none of the suspects were observed manipulating the games directly by touching them could indicate the use of wireless technology. If this is the case, we are in deep doo-doo.
It’s Under Investigation
The indictments of the four Russians is the start of a process in which we, the casino industry, will continue to monitor to learn more about the potential threats to slot machines in the future. It should also be pointed out that the arrests of the crooks were the result of great casino surveillance work and a combined effort from law enforcement agencies in the U.S. But this is only the beginning. The investigation is ongoing.
Due to obvious sensitivity, it is best that we tread cautiously when reaching conclusions on this threat. I do not wish to jeopardize the investigation, so some information has been withheld from this article. Instead, I will be co-facilitating an open industry discussion on the threat of high-tech slot cheating devices at this year’s 10th Annual World Game Protection Conference (March 2-4 at the M Resort in Las Vegas).
The question of how these crooks are using technology to cheat our technology needs to be answered and disseminated to the casino industry as quickly as possible. Over the last 10 years, we in the business of protecting casino games have learned that when organized groups of crooks get together with passports, a bankroll and a new scam, they can steamroll casinos around the world and make a lot of money before the industry, regulators and law enforcement agencies can get all their ducks in a row.
An example of this is the “Tran Organization” false shuffle scam, the largest organized cheating scam in U.S. history. More than 29 casinos across the country were hit by a group of over 40 cheats. It took five years before an arrest was made, even though the scam was detected by casinos within the first year after its conception. It’s estimated that casinos across the U.S. lost over $50 million while authorities dotted their i’s and crossed their t’s.
Scary Scenario
What makes this scam even more scary is that if wireless technology is being used to cheat casinos, our slot machines are sitting ducks. Most casinos have hundreds of them, if not thousands. Admittedly, they don’t get the same attention as table games. For years game protection efforts have focused more on table games because of the human aspect.
Slot machines have largely been monitored electronically through a networked real-time alert system. Surveillance departments select slot machine activity that warrants attention, like invalid entries and jackpots, and one person will monitor the system, reacting accordingly if an alert goes off. Generally, regardless of whether a casino has 100 machines or 5,000 machines, surveillance often only has one person dedicated to responding to machine alarms.
In essence, slot machines have traditionally been self-monitoring, unless a surveillance operator happens to be scanning the area.
The other factor that makes a wireless attack against our slot machines so scary is the “no-hands” factor. We’re taught to watch players’ hands. Has anyone in gaming ever seen a player cheat without his hands? If surveillance does happen to be looking in the slot machine areas for people using devices, they’re looking for suspicious hands. If wireless technology is being used, cheats can simply put their devices in their pockets and stand around drinking the casino’s complimentary beverages.
The final factor that puts this scam over the top is unlike other multimillion-dollar casino scams of the last decade. This one doesn’t require collusion with staff from the inside. Imagine the potential if staff did collude.
I may have mentioned previously that I’m not exactly a Wozniak when it comes to computers and what their potential is. But who is? When researching this story, I find most of the so-called experts or people I thought are into this stuff are on the fence when it comes to the potential of wireless technology being able to manipulate computers.
I have heard stories of similar technology being used to exploit ATMs. If remote controls can change my channel, open my garage door and progress my Powerpoint slides, why couldn’t a device be used to change the meter on a slot machine? Am I being paranoid here? Slot machine manufacturers: Please tell me, could this happen?
What Should We Do?
My intention is not to be unnecessarily alarming or overdramatic, but to raise awareness within the industry. This scam is a reminder if not a wake-up call to what may lay ahead.
Last year, Las Vegas Sands casinos fell victim to hackers because they didn’t like what Sheldon Adelson said. The hack cost the giant casino organization millions, and all the bad guys made was a statement. Imagine what a group of highly motivated, technically skilled individuals could do if they wanted to make cold, hard cash.
Regardless of how these mysterious devices work, we can’t ignore the threat. We don’t have enough time to get our whats, wheres, whos, hows, whens and whys together. We have to be proactive and acknowledge that casinos are getting whacked by a well-organized, well-funded group of criminals that have found a way to beat our slot machines without lifting a finger.
It goes without saying that the first thing we need to do is increase surveillance of slot machine areas. The obvious tells are frequent cash-outs, little or no actual play and standing near machines for extended periods of time with hands in pockets. Watch the credit meters. Are they incrementing without reason?
Study the numbers. Check the financial records of the slot machines on a regular basis. Look for abnormal hold percentages, especially on the the vulnerable machines.
If you are a surveillance director and you haven’t already, make sure you are a member of a credible online international surveillance network. Whenever there’s an opportunity to attend a forum of surveillance professionals sharing information, do it. It is important to understand that a lot of cheating devices are manufactured and developed in Europe and Asia. Often, those markets are test beds for cheating devices, so tapping into international intelligence networks is essential if you are to stay one step ahead of high-tech cheating teams that may pay a visit to your property.
Final Words
Until we know the truth on these devices (maybe we won’t?), we should be conducting our own research and investigations into the threat of wireless technology in gaming. It’s not hard to come to the conclusion that if this type of device can exploit particular machines, then this type of technology could probably be developed to exploit other types of slot machines.
What about the hybrid electronic machines? What about the electronic equipment on our tables like shuffle machines or intelligent shoes? What about our player marketing databases?
Device To Beat Slot Machine
Gaming machines or equipment are an important part of our business. Like our customers and employees, we should be analyzing their weaknesses as well as their strengths.
App To Beat Slot Machines
This is a wake-up call for all gaming and surveillance managers. Technology and products are being moved on and off the gaming floor more frequently nowadays. It’s just the upgrade-every-year world we live in. Think about the volume of slot machines that are bought and sold every year. Think about where your equipment came from and who made all the parts.
How To Beat The Slots
Think about how it is difficult and probably impossible to test for every possible threat. Think about how busy and understaffed you are. Now think about all those unemployed people with computer programming degrees. Maybe we should hire them.