Part III: Slot Machine Cheating · Physical Cheating Methods

SCAM #33: Free Play Credit Manipulation (Spitball Method)

How it works

A low-tech method of stealing player rewards. The cheat inserts a small piece of paper (“spitball”) into a player card reader to jam the rear contact switch. If successful, they can remove their card while the machine still thinks they are playing. When another unsuspecting guest arrives and inserts their card, all rewards and points earned go to the original spitballer’s account instead of the current player. A variation involves using multiple cards and sticking them into other players’ machines without their knowledge.

Where it appears

Slot machines with card readers that have physical contact switches.

On the record

The spitball method is considered “downright stupid” by some experts because the perpetrator essentially signs in with their real identity before creating the jam, leaving their name, address, and phone number in the casino database. However, on busy weekend evenings, especially in high-limit areas, this scam can work before detection.

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.