Sowerbutt's Machines

The retired writer for the East London Pioneer, who still has the notebook from his interview in the early 1960s with Jimmy Sowerbutt, said: "Times were hard after the war with little money around. Britain only survived with American aid. But where there's a will, there's a way.

"Jimmy mentioned a fruit machine, one-armed bandit racket. They were popular, but scarce. Very few imports in those days, especially from the US. One of his contacts was Sidney Stanley, a Stoke Newington lad who had done well in the rackets and had a big luxury apartment in Park Lane. The Family had a few contracts with Stanley, you can imagine the sort of work. Anyway, Stanley was able to get his hands on import licences, knew a few blokes in the Government, he said, and he sold some to Jimmy. You could name your price for the fruit machines and Jimmy did.
"Stanley got into some hot water and fled the country in '49, but Jimmy kept getting hold of the import licences somehow."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Lemon-Surrender-1940-ebook/dp/B008USR7FA