Publication Date: February 4, 2026, 04:59h.
Updated on: February 4, 2026, 04:59h.
- Brothers from Georgia sentenced to 20 years for COAM gambling fraud
- Fraudulent scheme targeted video poker machines across several counties in Georgia
- Judge issues probation, imposes bans, and mandates $86,000 restitution to the lottery
Last week, two brothers from Sparta, Georgia, received significant prison terms for a fraudulent scheme that extracted money from video poker machines located in convenience stores and gas stations throughout the state.
Quinton Watts, 27, and Phillip Watts, 31, each received a 20-year sentence in Columbia County Superior Court on Thursday after being found guilty of felony charges of lottery ticket fraud, theft by taking, and possession of crime-committing tools.
The specific methods employed by the brothers to defraud the Georgia Lottery-regulated “skill gaming” terminals, known as Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs), remain unclear based on local news reports.
Illegal Cash Payouts
COAMs are legally located in retail establishments and offer players points redeemable for items, fuel credits, or Georgia Lottery tickets. Cash payouts from these machines are prohibited under state law, yet occurrences are frequent—the machines are more appealing to players, enhancing their profitability.
Between June 2021 and September 2024, the brothers exploited these machines to obtain cash or equivalent value through theft in over a dozen counties in Georgia, according to prosecutors.
COAM fraud commonly involves capitalizing on vulnerabilities in credit tracking and prize redemption—the process where points are logged, verified, and translated into rewards. Points may be converted into illicit payouts or inaccurately recorded, for instance.
This could entail manipulated machine records, excessive or repeated redemptions, or unauthorized tools to access service panels generally designated for certified operators or technicians.
Authorities have not confirmed whether these tactics were employed in the Watts’ situation, although the absence of charges like “burglary” and “criminal damage” suggests the method was more discreet than merely breaking into machines.
Severe Sentencing
During sentencing, Judge Barry A. Fleming of Columbia County Superior Court mandated Quinton Watts to complete 45 years of probation following his prison term, while Phillip Watts was assigned 35 years of probation.
Both individuals were also banned from entering Columbia County and prohibited from accessing any stores implicated in the offenses, as well as barred from utilizing COAMs anywhere within the state.
The judge additionally ordered that over $86,000 be refunded to the Georgia Lottery Commission.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Commercial Gambling Unit reiterated its stance that cash payouts from COAMs are illegal and that offenders will face prosecution.