Dennis Nikrasch (b. 12 September 1941 - d. 2010) was an infamous slot cheater whose life of crime lasted 2 decades. He stole a whopping $16,000,000 from the slot machines from 1976 to 1998. He stole a whopping $16,000,000 from the slot machines from 1976 to 1998.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- A federal grand jury Thursday indicted 10 people on conspiracy and interstate transportation charges in what prosecutors called one of the major slot machine cheating rings in the state's history.

1. Nov 22, 2005 McAndrew, who had his name changed from Dennis Andrew Nikrasch, to Dennis Sean McAndrew, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison. He also uses the alias of Frank Shabazian, Robert H. Collins, Dennis Nelton, Nelton Dennison, Dennis Wells, Carl Peters and Charles Stevens.
2. Dennis Nikrasch admits using a sophisticated computer-generated device to empty the machines of their jackpots in Las Vegas. In 1997, he and a group of friends won 10 multi-million pound jackpots.
3. Dennis Nikrasch - the alleged mastermind of a slot cheating ring lawmen believe stole $6 million from Las Vegas casinos - is one example. Nikrasch, 56, and three others, including Eugene.

The indictment charged the 10 with using keys, magnets, 'blocks,' wires and other devices to manipulate the reels of slot machines into a winning jackpot position at a number of casinos.

Defendants Don Davis and Joanne Wyse appeared before U.S. Magistrate Philip Pro who set bail for each at $500,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Cohen argued for $1 million for each, saying they were high risks for flight. She said the indictment, covering a period from March 1, 1976 to January 1979, charges the ring cheated slot machines in the state for $300,000, but authorities believe the members of the group actually got away with more than $10 million.

'Davis has been known to the State Gaming Control Board for more than 20 years,' said the prosecutor. 'Davis has been involved in a number of fraudulent jackpots.'

She said Ms. Wyse was either Davis' common-law wife or they were married.

Dennis Vegas

'Neither is gainfully employed and they purchased a home on the Sahara Country Club yesterday for $150,000 cash under an assumed name.'

Dennis Nikrasch 2004

The assistant U.S. Attorney called the two defendants 'masters of disguises' who had numerous pieces of identification under various names.

'Davis has at least seven other alEases,' said Ms. Cohen. 'He has no ties with the community except for ripping off slot machines.'

The prosecutor said Ms. Wyse acted as a lookout while the other defendants did the actual slot cheating.

Dennis Nikrasch Chicago

Defense attorney Stephen Stein argued for lower bail, saying Davis and Ms. Wyse each had one conviction years ago in Reno and during a state trial for slot cheating in 1979 and 1980 in Las Vegas, Davis made all of his court appearances before being acquitted.

He said Davis, 55, had lived off-and-on in Las Vegas for the past 30 years and made his living by playing cards and other forms of gambling.

Others named in the 10-count indictment were: Dennis Nikrasch, Terrance Nikrasch, Susan Holguin, Agnes Shabazian, April Shabazian, Richard Charlesworth, Nadine Charlesworth and Joe Holguin, Jr.

Dennis Nikrasch Death

The indictment charged the various defendants with: conspiracy, interstate transportation of goods obtained by fraud, interstate travel with the intent to distribute the proceeds of an unlawful activity, interstate travel in aid of racketeering and aiding and abetting.