Georgia Brothers Get 20 Years for Stealing From Amusement Machines
Two brothers from Sparta, Georgia, have been sentenced to 20 years in prison for defrauding amusement machines across the state. Quinton Watts, 27, and Phillip Watts, 31, illegally extracted cash from Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMs) over three years. Their scheme targeted venues in more than a dozen counties between June 2021 and September 2024.
The brothers manipulated COAMs to steal money or cash-equivalent value, though the exact method remains undisclosed. Such fraud often exploits flaws in credit tracking or prize redemption systems. Their crimes violated state laws, as cash payouts from these machines are strictly prohibited.
Both men were convicted on multiple felony charges, including lottery ticket fraud, theft by taking, and possession of tools for criminal activity. After serving their prison terms, Quinton will face 45 years of probation, while Phillip will serve 35 years. The court also ordered them to pay over $86,000 in restitution to the Georgia Lottery Commission.
As part of their sentencing, the brothers were banned from Columbia County and barred from entering any location tied to their crimes. They are also permanently prohibited from playing or accessing COAMs anywhere in Georgia.
The case marks a rare prosecution of COAM fraud in Georgia, with no other similar investigations reported since 2021. Authorities have warned that illegal cash payouts from amusement machines will continue to be pursued as criminal offences. The brothers' sentences include long probation periods and strict restrictions on their future activities.
