Part III: Slot Machine Cheating · Physical Cheating Methods

SCAM #5: Coin Rake

How it works

A historical cheating device used to trick early slot machines. The coin rake was a metal tool inserted into the coin pathway to manipulate the coin mechanism. The rake could push coins backward or forward in the coin escalator, causing the machine to miscount or re-register credits. Slot manufacturers eventually defeated this by installing zigzag coin pathways that made raking impossible.

Where it appears

Early mechanical slot machines with straight coin pathways.

On the record

George Joseph’s slot cheating training materials document this as one of the earliest physical cheating methods, predating electronic countermeasures.

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.