Slashdot Mirror
Video Poker Firmware Bug Yields Big Money, Federal Charges
JoeyRox writes "Over the course of playing $12 million worth of video poker, Las Vegas resident John Kane stumbled onto a firmware bug in IGT's 'Game King' machines that allowed him to cash out for 10x the amount of his winnings. John and his friends took advantage of the vulnerability to the tune of $429,945. John's friend was arrested by U.S. marshals and charged with violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, but a federal magistrate ruled that the law doesn't apply and recommended dismissal. The case is currently being argued in a U.S. District Court."
EVERY 'professional' poker player I know (ok, both, but they are family) claim poker is not a game of chance or luck, but one of skill. They don't play against the house, or a machine, or even on the outcome of a chance event, but rather they pay against other individuals, across the table from them. And they match skill against skill, they say.
That's their story. Poker can reward luck, apparently, but they don't claim to be lucky. Even when they draw an inside straight, they claim they used skill to get into a position to win.
If you disagree, I can't give you their numbers. They will scoff at you and hang up. And you will be angry. Pass.
deleting the extra space after periods so i can stay relevant, yeah.
I think the crux of it is that he knew the payout was a mistake. The machine said "you win $10" but spat out $100. He made it do that many, many times. It's not like discovering a way to win, it's like discovering a way to cheat.
I have a feeling I will be modded down because this runs contrary to Slashdot / Sheldon Cooper logic, but at least from a legal point of view there is a difference between winning a game of chance and enriching yourself as the result of a mistake you were aware of. And yes, in theory that means if they give you too much change at the checkout and you notice you are supposed to tell them, otherwise it's fraud.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
The owner of the money is under the impression that the machine is giving you the correct payout. You know this is not the case, but allow them to continue to believe that. That is deception, and fraud, whether you like it or not.