I don't normally play 'Beat the Landlord' so I'm not much good at it (though I'm aware there are people who are).I had a go yesterday though with a spare 50p credit,and the 'jackpot' was a measly £1.I'm not really sure where you'd get a pint at that price.I'm just wondering is that a recent defence mechanism,or has it done that for ages.It's the first time I've ever seen it.
That's quite happy compared to some. I believe you can get them into a state where if you win the jackpot, billed at 'hyphen £1' the machine freezes and you have to pay £1 to unlock it. It's then you realise that it's not a hyphen but in fact a negative. Perhaps yours was in that state?