from: http://www.aci.net/kalliste/ ----- Hacking for Jesus Hole in Slot Machine Software Creates Ruckus Normally we only use that hole to pay off politicians. EDMONTON, Alberta -- WMS Gaming of Chicago is suing an Edmonton man for $10 million, alleging that he threatened to publicize a software flaw in its slot machines that allowed players to consistently win large amounts of money. The company filed suit in the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench in late February after Zues Yaghi, an Edmonton software consultant, began to post information about the software glitch on the Internet. The flaw came to light after a publication ban on the suit was lifted in court earlier this week. The flaw may easily have cost the slot machine manufacturer $50,000 a day, Yaghi said in an interview. But lawyers for WMS estimate the losses at between $1-2 million, because they say some Edmonton gamblers visited three states in the U.S. between December 1999 and February 2000, where they used the flaw to win at gaming. In Alberta alone, some 300 machines were affected. WMS Gaming is one of the largest manufacturers of slot machines in the world, with annual revenues in 1999 of $125.9 million. The flaw involves players doubling their bets on an electronic poker game in conjunction with several other commands. Yaghi said he first discovered the flaw in December, doing what he called "field intrusion testing," a technique he described as probing functions on a machine for weaknesses. Yaghi said tapping on the "draw" button as the last credit registered would get players into what he believed was a so-called Easter egg. Easter eggs are deliberately inserted pieces of code meant to produce a hidden option for users. Normally, Easter eggs are harmless mini-games or puzzles. Yaghi demonstrated the flaw for Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission officials last December. Within five minutes he emptied a single slot machine of about $600 three times. His problems began when Yaghi offered his services to WMS Gaming as a consultant for $250,000. WMS counter-offered with about $50,000. The counter-offer enraged Yaghi, according to Edmonton lawyer Mark Lesniak, who has been retained by WMS Gaming. Yaghi began describing the glitch on Internet message boards in late February. He wrote that he was "amazed to discover a huge open door in the programming of these slot machines. I can literally empty thousands of dollars in minutes from these machines." Yaghi said in the interview he has not used the technique himself on the slots. Shortly after the postings, WMS obtained a search-and-seizure order, entering Yaghi's Edmonton home three times and seizing computers and data files. The company then filed suit. "At that stage, when we started seeing Internet postings, something had to be done," said Lesniak. "It's just not legal to try and destroy somebody's share value." Shortly after Yaghi demonstrated the glitch, the gaming authority issued a notice recommending casinos bar Yaghi from entering. Yaghi has filed a countersuit for C$1 million against WMS Gaming and has also filed a $2 million suit against Alberta Gaming for defamation. Alberta Gaming is trying to recover an unspecified portion of the losses from WMS Gaming. The losses would be revenues that would normally have gone into the Alberta Lottery Fund. The government's revenue is 70 percent after prizes. Lesniak said gaming regulators in Alberta, Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois are investigating to see if they can lay criminal charges against the individuals who took advantage of the flaw. WMS Gaming claims to have fixed the glitch with a software patch, but Yaghi says he believes other models may have similar problems. Scott Schweinfurth, WMS Gaming's CFO, said the company has no comment on any aspect of the issue. Wired News, June 23, 2000 ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, All My Relations. Omnia Bona Bonis, Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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