Las Vegas and Atlantic City<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBefore the start of Tommy Glenn Carmichael\u2019s slots cheating career, he owned a TV repair shop in Oklahoma. He had some personal drama going on with marriage troubles and drug convictions, and his business was slowly failing \u2013 nothing like the fast-paced, high-rolling lifestyle he would soon adopt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1980, Tommy\u2019s friend showed up one day at his repair shop with two things that would change his life: a slot machine and a top-bottom joint, the classic slot machine cheat tool of the time. Carmichael liked to fix things \u2013 that meant taking them apart and examining them to understand how they worked, and he applied his skills to slot machines and how to beat them. It didn\u2019t take long for him to understand the slot machine\u2019s mechanics and how the top-bottom joint worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carmichael went on to use it for several years. But casinos had caught wind of these devices and police apprehended him. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but instead of deterring him from getting back in the game, it inspired him to be better. During his stint in prison, Tommy met Mike Balsamo, and they agreed to join forces after being released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As gaming technology improved, Carmichael developed a device called a slider, or monkey paw. He designed the simple tool to go through the payout chute and trigger the machine. After the payout, Carmichael won about $1,000 an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Again, improved technology later rendered the device useless \u2013 and again, Carmichael met the challenge with the same zeal. This time, he went to an International Game Technology showroom. Pretending to be an interested customer, he inspected the inside of one of the slot machines and got an engineer to answer a few very detailed questions. Carmichael bought one of the machines from IGT, and days later, he had invented the light wand, a simple tool that shined a light to trigger the sensor and cause a payout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tommy\u2019s story involves some entrepreneurship as well \u2013 not only was he hitting the casinos, but he was also selling his device to other cheats to use. To this day, other slots cheats remain great admirers of his work. He\u2019s considered a legend within the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it worked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Simply put: Tommy Carmichael was a genius. He had an uncanny knack for being able to completely break something down in his mind and analyze all of the parts. He got down to the crux of how these mechanisms functioned and devised counter mechanisms to bypass or trick the machines. And, he was shrewd. He sold his inventions to other slots cheats and working strategically in groups to avoid being caught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it ended<\/h3>\n\n\n\n You could liken Tommy Carmichael to Icarus, flying too close to the sun. He knew he was a genius, and he really felt that he was untouchable. He imagined that this could go on forever \u2013 earning thousands of dollars a day, going on cruises every other week, beating each and every new development in slot machine technology, pulling the wool over casinos\u2019 eyes time after time. But, that level of success and luxury meant that he was visible \u2013 too visible. FBI informants had been collecting evidence against him and his partners for quite some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An attempt in Vegas was apprehended because of new surveillance cameras. His accomplices, who normally stood strategically to block the view, didn\u2019t know about them. Soon he was caught with the light wand and charged. Authorities dropped the charges later. But he was arrested again soon after, with a new and improved version of the device. Ultimately, Carmichael, Pereira, and Balsamo were arrested, along with Lisa Luxem, Carmichael\u2019s girlfriend at the time and three involved parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From start to finish, his career activities resulted in two convictions for slot cheating in Nevada, one in New Jersey, and a federal conviction for his key role in a nationwide cheating operation. Authorities believed that the group stole over $5 million, but the exact amount is impossible to determine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tommy Carmichael\u2019s last known activities are significantly less risky: he was last working on \u201cThe Protector,\u201d a device he claimed would defend slot machines from all kind of cheats \u2013 patent pending. However, gambling authorities are skeptical. A device like this could likely be modified to be used as a cheating device. After some discussion, the Nevada Gaming Commission voted to put Carmichael\u2019s name in the Black Book, banning him from all Nevada casinos for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip: don’t be a casino cheat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n For slots lovers, poker buffs, and general casino fans, these stories hold an irresistible attraction. They involve daring gamblers and ingenious plans \u2013 what\u2019s not to love? But for those of us who perhaps aren\u2019t interested in taking such risks, and more importantly, breaking the law, we\u2019re in luck. You don\u2019t have to cheat the system to win big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planet 7 Casino<\/a> offers a multitude of games and a nearly infinite number of chances to hit the jackpot. Play today for your chance to win thousands, or even millions, without the criminal activity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The most impressive scam artists who managed to fool casinos and win big. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1706,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"yoast_head":"\n
Top 4 Most Infamous Casino Cheats | Planet 7 Magazine<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n