SlotsPeak » Gambling news » History’s Ingenious Slot Machine Cheats: A Deep Dive

History’s Ingenious Slot Machine Cheats: A Deep Dive

Slot machines have always been a hotbed of intrigue, both for earnest players and those with a more mischievous streak. Let’s explore some of these crafty techniques, though it’s important to note: following in these footsteps is a no-go!

  1. Insider Edge Every industry has its watchdogs, and in gambling, their job is to maintain fairness and transparency. Yet, sometimes, those from the inside play the mischief-maker. Take, for instance, Ronald Dale Harris, an engineer for the Nevada Gaming Commission. By understanding the source codes, Harris tilted the game to his favor for years. Only a huge $100,000 keno game win in 1995 by his accomplice revealed the deceit.
  2. Tricky Coins Once upon a time, using a specially shaved coin could be the key to cheating. As slots evolved to use light sensors for payment validation, a clever trick involving shaved coins and an authentic-looking counterpart emerged. The real coin would initiate the play, and the shaved one would be retrieved.
  3. Counterfeit Coins Louis “The Coin” Colavecchio took the counterfeit route. Using fabricated coins, he swindled casinos until he was caught in 1998. Though released in 2006, his return to mischief was short-lived.
  4. Magnetic Appeal While modern slots and computers don’t mix with magnets, older, metallic machines weren’t as lucky. Some cheats would halt the reels with a magnet to lock in their winning combination and then slyly remove it to cash in.
  5. The Classic Yo-Yo Picture this: a coin on a string used as a deceptive tool. The coin would be dropped to start the game and quickly retrieved. This old-school tactic might be outdated now, but in its prime, it was quite the sly maneuver.

The progression of technology may have outsmarted these techniques, but the tales of their use remain a fascinating chapter in gambling history.

Find out more about:

Page contributors

Oliver Martin

Written by

Oliver Martin/Writer

Oliver Martin is our slot expert and casino content writer with five years of experience playing and reviewing iGaming products. He specializes in slot machines and casino news articles, with a diligent approach that provides value to readers wanting to try the games for themselves. Oliver keeps in touch with the latest gambling trends and regulations to deliver spotless and informative articles on localized gambling content.

More about Writer

Charlotte Wilson

Reviewed by

Charlotte Wilson/Reviewer

Charlotte Wilson is the brains behind our casino and slot review operations, with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. Her expertise lies in casino reviews carefully crafted from the player’s perspective. She developed a unique content creation system based on experience, expertise, and a passionate approach to iGaming innovations and updates.

More about Reviewer

Noah Taylor

Fact-checked by

Noah Taylor/Fact-checker

Noah Taylor is a one-man team that allows our content creators to work confidently and focus on their job, crafting exclusive and unique reviews. Once they are done, Noah takes over with this unique fact-checking approach based on factual details. He uses his PR skills to inquire about the main details with a support staff of online casino operators.

More about Fact-checker