Magnet cheating on coin pusher machines is one of the oldest tricks in the arcade playbook, and it is still effective on many modern machines. The principle is simple: a strong magnet, concealed in a player’s hand or attached to a token, is used to pull coins and tokens from the playfield without the player earning them through normal play. Despite the low-tech nature of the method, magnet cheating continues to cost coin pusher operators significant inventory losses.
I have seen magnet cheating used in venues across the UK, Europe, and the United States. The magnets used range from small neodymium discs that fit inside a ring, to powerful bar magnets hidden in a sleeve or coat pocket. The common factor is that the magnet must be brought close enough to the playfield to affect the coins — typically within 2-3 centimeters of the glass or acrylic window.
How Players Use Magnets on Coin Pushers
Method one is the hand-held magnet. The player holds a small, powerful magnet in their palm or between their fingers. They place their hand near the playfield window, and the magnet pulls coins toward the glass. When the coins hit the glass, they drop down into the payout tray. The player then collects the payout as if they won legitimately.
Method two is the token magnet. The player attaches a tiny magnet to a legitimate token and inserts it into the machine. The token enters the playfield, and the magnet on the token attracts nearby coins, causing them to stick to the token and fall into the payout tray when the token is pushed over the edge. This method is harder to detect because the cheating happens inside the machine, not through the window.
Method three is the wand magnet. A long, thin magnet is concealed inside a sleeve or pant leg. The player positions themselves so the magnet is near the machine’s lower panel, where the payout tray collects coins. The magnet pulls coins from the playfield shelf toward the lower area, accelerating the natural payout process.
How to Block Magnet Cheating
The most effective countermeasure is a magnetic shield installed between the playfield and the glass or acrylic window. The shield is a thin ferrous metal sheet that blocks the magnetic field from reaching the coins. The Gen2 anti-cheat system includes a magnetic shield option that is custom-cut to fit your coin pusher’s window size and shape. The shield is transparent enough that it does not affect the machine’s visual appearance, but it blocks the magnetic field from external magnets.
In addition to the magnetic shield, the Gen2 system’s coin mech monitoring detects the use of token magnets. When a token with an attached magnet passes through the coin mech, it generates a different electrical signature than a normal token. The device flags this anomaly and can alert the operator or temporarily disable the machine.
If your coin pusher machine is showing signs of magnet cheating or unexplained inventory loss, send me a message with your machine model and a photo of your setup. I will do a quick remote check for free. Every device comes with a money-back guarantee, official invoice, express shipping, and 1-on-1 technical support.
WhatsApp / WeChat / Phone: +86 158 1582 1587 — Engineer Wang
To discuss the best anti-cheat strategy for your specific arcade setup, message me directly. I offer a free remote diagnostic session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will the magnetic shield affect the machine’s operation in any way?
A: No. The shield only blocks external magnetic fields from reaching the playfield. The machine’s electronics and mechanical operation are unaffected.
Q: How do I know if someone is using a magnet on my coin pusher?
A: Signs include: coins dropping into the payout tray when no one is playing, players keeping one hand near the window continuously, and coins appearing stuck to the glass when the machine is idle.
Q: Can the magnetic shield be removed and reinstalled on a different machine?
A: Yes. The shield is mounted with non-permanent fixtures and can be transferred between machines of the same model.
Q: Do I need a magnetic shield on every coin pusher, or only on high-value machines?
A: All coin pushers are vulnerable to magnet cheating. If the payout is attractive enough — high-value tokens, prizes, or tickets — a cheater will target it. I recommend shields on all machines.