Table of Contents:
Source Code
Magnets
Piano String
Yo-Yo Hack
Cracking the RNG System
Light Wand
Conclusion
Source Code
The source code determines a particular slot machine's behaviour and payout patterns. This software is a great way to keep cheating developers and dishonest casinos from rigging slot machines in favour of the house. But if a cheater wants to take advantage of the source code, they must create a pre-programmed code that allows them to win in a predetermined way.
One of the most famous cases of hacking took place in the 90s. Ronald Dale Harris was working for the Nevada Gaming Authority and was developing slot software. But his career didn't satisfy him, and he decided to start using his knowledge to his own financial advantage.
John manipulated the slot system and programmed it to a particular sequence of coins. He and his friend were able to win money thanks to his code for several years until greed led to his capture when his partner made $100,000 in a game of keno in 1998.
Magnets
Nowadays, the software in modern slot machines is not magnetic. However, older devices can be hacked with a simple magnet. A strong magnet can stop the rotation of the slot machine reels at the very moment when a winning combination is forming.
Many dishonest people with the right skill could hack the machines using such a measure, but it is pretty safe to say that this information is no more relevant.
Piano String
This slot machine hack requires you to have a long piano string. The trickster had to puncture a hole in the mechanical slot machine and insert the string to control the wheels and stars of the slot game.
The next thing to do was pull the string when you needed to stop the reel and lock the winning combination. This method to hack slot machines is also incompatible with modern slots, let’s put it like this.
Yo-Yo Hack
Hacking a slot machine with a coin on a string is called "Yo-Yo", and it definitely won't work on modern slots. The mechanism works as follows: once you have inserted a coin into the slot and it has started spinning the reels, you remove the coin and can insert it again. This method has also been used on vending machines before because they worked using the same principle.
Cracking the RNG System
RNG is an abbreviation for “random number generator”, which is the core computer software of any modern slot machine. As a game of chance, any slot should have an equally random way of generating results.
Hackers have learned how to crack these number generators, making it easier for them to manipulate the results. For example, not too long ago, slot machine hackers attacked slots manufactured by the Australian company Aristocrat Leisure. They simply played that company's slots while stealthily holding their phone close to the slot screen and won huge sums.
Light Wand
Tommy Glenn Carmichael has spent his life scamming casinos for a living. At first, he hacked slots with strings, as described earlier in the article, but when technology changed, and that method became impossible, he came up with another way.
Tommy made a rudimentary device by attaching a tiny torch to a piece of steel wire. Then, Tommy inserted it into the machine and flashed the optical sensor with a beam of light, manipulating the slots and making them produce big winnings.
Along with a few accomplices, he visited most of the casinos in Las Vegas and other cities where gambling establishments were operating. While his partners distracted security and officials, Tommy successfully managed to hack the slots. This simple device brought the gang of criminals millions of dollars.
With the development of online casinos around the world, criminals have started to look for ways to hack into online slots as well. For example, hackers can sometimes manipulate slot machines by analysing their RNG with the help of specialised software. Of course, these programs do not offer a 100% advantage, but they increase the odds in casino games.
Another modern method to cheat at slots was to email a virus to online casino staff. The “Trojan” from these emails could connect to the casino's network and help dishonest slot players win.
But since hackers are very harmful to any casino, the administrative staff of such establishments are constantly improving their defences, sometimes even employing such hackers. Nowadays, any vulnerability found is fixed in a few days or even hours.
Conclusion
Let's take a look at some of the things you can do to get the most out of your game without using cheat codes.
Keep an eye on the RTP. Many players don't check the RTP before they play. But the higher the RTP of the slot, the more likely you will win something. So, always search for slots that offer a higher RTP.
Keep an eye out for new online casinos. Online casinos are operating in a highly competitive environment. You can always find places that will offer promotions and great deals to gain popularity. Such casinos always offer the best bonuses and the best deals.
Understand slot features.Use the bonus rounds, wild symbols, and other features to ensure that hitting the spin button brings you the most rewards. Once you understand how each of these features works and how to play the slot correctly, this will be your successful slots strategy.
Use free spins.