This was taken from another forum . I thought this may make an interesting read as I've never seen anything written about it before. Not strictly relevant to internet gambling, but what the heck.
-A bit of background- my family own an electrical company which deals mainly with businesses wanting electrics rewired etc.
On a visit to one 'said' nationwide pub chain (whose name I will leave blank at the moment, just out of interest to see if anyone already knows) the electricians discovered a mystery wire. We asked what it was, and the manager informed us that it was used to alter the payout of the fruit machines, and delved further to say that the payout would be vastly reduced during peak hours, in the hope that drunks would pile all their money in, win nothing (and of course not query it) and so they would make a tidy sum from it. His words, not mine.
Considering as I said earlier, it's a chain, I'd be surprised if this was the only pub in the chain to use this system. It was quite complex too - similar to the 'Itbox' which is plugged into a network, but the pubs' own network which they can use very easily.
Now although I'm a lawyer, my knowledge in this part of the law is minimal, but aside from the fact that operators will always attempt to dispute just what the '72% payout etc' actually equates to, it doesn't seem right that such a system is in use.
Hence I'm glad I don't touch fruit machines
Anyone heard anything about this?
Want a laugh ?
Valid points by everyone, but I'm still of the opinion that bars shouldn't be allowed, or even able, to have a device that controls payout, Maybe in private establishments, it can be understood.
The pub chain in question here is Wetherspoons. I don't see a problem in posting their name, because I can quite happily prove that at least one pub in their chain is using this, should any representatives question my comments.
I can see why they may choose to limit payouts during the said 'peak hours' but it seems more like them praying on the foolish. Moreso, why would they want to control the payouts, unless under orders of the operators, as surely this can't be profiting them.....well unless it is a nationwide scheme
The pub chain in question here is Wetherspoons. I don't see a problem in posting their name, because I can quite happily prove that at least one pub in their chain is using this, should any representatives question my comments.
I can see why they may choose to limit payouts during the said 'peak hours' but it seems more like them praying on the foolish. Moreso, why would they want to control the payouts, unless under orders of the operators, as surely this can't be profiting them.....well unless it is a nationwide scheme
don't really touch fruit machines anyway, so I'm ok there. But an FOI (Freedom of Information) request doesn't necessarily involve an investigation to take place. When the system was wired up the electrical contractors would provide information to the company of what work they carried out, including where parts were sourced etc. An FOI request for this document would have to be accepted, as it doesn't fall under any categories listed on the exemptions list of the act.
Further to that, as well as stating whether it was installed for its true purpose, or obscurely listed (hence suggesting they don't want people to know) I could then contact the manufacturer to establish percentages and other facts about the 'device' - it is essentially a standard CAT 6 cable linked to a network that culminates in a switch positioned behind the bar which activates and deactivates the system.
If you guys lived where I do, in a tiny seaside town with a population of only a few thousand (most of whom are pensioners) you'd understand that if this came to light, it would be pretty big news! The local daily paper usually has the headline 'plight of the old corner shop' (it seriously does run this story at least once a week) blaming Tesco's or Asda's negative effect on society, so you can just imagine what they would think of a pub that essentially cheats its customers.
Further to that, as well as stating whether it was installed for its true purpose, or obscurely listed (hence suggesting they don't want people to know) I could then contact the manufacturer to establish percentages and other facts about the 'device' - it is essentially a standard CAT 6 cable linked to a network that culminates in a switch positioned behind the bar which activates and deactivates the system.
If you guys lived where I do, in a tiny seaside town with a population of only a few thousand (most of whom are pensioners) you'd understand that if this came to light, it would be pretty big news! The local daily paper usually has the headline 'plight of the old corner shop' (it seriously does run this story at least once a week) blaming Tesco's or Asda's negative effect on society, so you can just imagine what they would think of a pub that essentially cheats its customers.
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betchrider
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betchrider
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:01 pm
It does make you chuckle, doesn't it?
I was once told by a member of the kitchen staff at a Hogs Head they had a mainframe which controlled all the m/c %'s to maximise profits.
It may have something to do with me winning on SRM and Yabba a couple of times a week.
Maybe half his wages were going in them each and every week.
I was once told by a member of the kitchen staff at a Hogs Head they had a mainframe which controlled all the m/c %'s to maximise profits.
It may have something to do with me winning on SRM and Yabba a couple of times a week.
Maybe half his wages were going in them each and every week.
For a minute I actually thought you was having a conversation with yourself from the first three posts Fruitypie.
Anyway, that cable is probably the midas system or something to monitor the machines for security reasons not changing the %. Can't see this sort of thing happening even in an extremly dodgy establishment, but especially not in a huge chain like spoons.
Anyway, that cable is probably the midas system or something to monitor the machines for security reasons not changing the %. Can't see this sort of thing happening even in an extremly dodgy establishment, but especially not in a huge chain like spoons.
HERES LATEST REPLY. Originally Posted by hushda24
Please tell me how this cable is suposed to work ? How on earth do they link it up to the fruit machine ? As its not april 1st i think you are on a big big wind up. I have owned several fruit machines for home use. And i find it impossible to imagine them pushing a switch behind a bar lmao. Dont take this personal please but this IS complete garbage. End off. Also you cant even put percentage lower than 70% and thats by manual. Only on ferries can they go lower.To about 60ish %
Please tell me how this cable is suposed to work ? How on earth do they link it up to the fruit machine ? As its not april 1st i think you are on a big big wind up. I have owned several fruit machines for home use. And i find it impossible to imagine them pushing a switch behind a bar lmao. Dont take this personal please but this IS complete garbage. End off. Also you cant even put percentage lower than 70% and thats by manual. Only on ferries can they go lower.To about 60ish %
And here is a reply to that quote. As for how the cable is supposed to work, i have no idea. I'm not an electrician. But it's connected in the same way that the Itbox machines, which I'm sure you are familiar with, are connected to a network so they update. I can't imagine this is an isolated case, but should you happen to live in Norwich, make a trip down to the Wetherspoons on Riverside and you will see that all the fruit machines have a network cable installed in the back which runs up through the wall. The machines, and hence the cables, are scattered about, but meet in a junction box in the roof, which resulted in it being traced back to this switch located behind the bar. Bearing in mind the guys in our company have been electricians for more than 20 years, it's a rarity for something like this to puzzle them.
And as for the sarcastic comment about April Fools, you obviously have no common sense whatsoever if you think I would waste my time, and other readers' time, making up an elaborate hoax in the hope of achieving God knows what. What I was told by the manager I simply posted here, so if it is a load of rubbish, then it will forever remain a mystery why he didn't want that cable touched, when the job we were asked to carry out was a complete rewiring of the entire building.
And as for the sarcastic comment about April Fools, you obviously have no common sense whatsoever if you think I would waste my time, and other readers' time, making up an elaborate hoax in the hope of achieving God knows what. What I was told by the manager I simply posted here, so if it is a load of rubbish, then it will forever remain a mystery why he didn't want that cable touched, when the job we were asked to carry out was a complete rewiring of the entire building.
