Fruit machine theft warning

Hosts are warned that gangs are using sophisticated electronic devices to steal money from fruit machines in pubs across the country.

Bob Rudd Leisure, which rents machines to major pubcos and multiple operators, estimated £100m had been scammed from AWP machines in the last 18 months using this device.

Nick Rudd, operations and marketing director at the company, said it had dealt with over 20 cases, including ones at pubs in Skegness and Nottingham.

The device is a black box, which connects to the machine with cables inserted via the air vents and scrambles the signal causing the machine to empty out the cash.

Jason Sanderson, licensee at the Centurion in Newcastle train station, said thieves stole £240 when they emptied his fruit machine without his knowledge two to three weeks ago. He only realised it had happened when a regular couldn't claim his prize.

He called Bob Rudd Lesiure, which supplies his machine, and on inspection they told him the machine had been scammed.

A second attempt to allegedly steal from his machine using this device was made on Friday 17 July.

The men pleaded not guilty to the incident at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday and have been bailed until 18 August.