A GAMBLER in Germany has been saved from prison by a one-armed bandit.

    Police said that two officers carrying out routine checks at an arcade in the western city of Bochum late last week discovered that a man playing a slot machine faced an arrest warrant.

    He had been ordered to pay a 710-euro (US$910) fine or go to prison for 71 days after resisting police during a previous incident.

    Police say that as officers informed the man that he faced arrest, the slot machine started to flash and the beaming 37-year-old won a jackpot of 1,000 euros.

    The man paid his fine on the spot — in cash.

    (SD-Agencies)