On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office announced that a dealer at the Encore Boston Harbor Casino had been arrested for allegedly stealing $15,000 in a cheating scheme involving a card player. The dealer, whose name has not been released, was charged with larceny and cheating at gambling.
According to authorities, the scheme involved the dealer and a card player working together to cheat the casino out of thousands of dollars. The dealer would allegedly “flash” cards to the player, giving them an unfair advantage in the game. The player would then cash out their winnings, splitting the proceeds with the dealer.
The cheating scheme was uncovered during an investigation by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which monitors all casinos in the state for illegal activities. The commission worked closely with the Attorney General’s Office to gather evidence and make an arrest in the case.
In a statement, Attorney General Maura Healey condemned the actions of the dealer and the card player, calling their behavior “unethical and illegal.” She also praised the efforts of the Gaming Commission in uncovering the scheme and holding those involved accountable.
The Encore Boston Harbor Casino, which opened in June 2019, has been a major player in the Massachusetts gambling industry. The $2.6 billion resort features a hotel, restaurants, shopping, and a 210,000 square foot gaming floor with over 3,000 slot machines and 231 table games.
In response to the news of the cheating scheme, a spokesperson for the casino said that they are fully cooperating with the authorities and are committed to maintaining the integrity of their gaming operations. They also assured patrons that measures have been put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The dealer is currently being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court later this week. The card player involved in the scheme has not yet been identified, but authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if any other individuals were involved.
As news of the cheating scheme spread, patrons of the Encore Boston Harbor Casino expressed shock and disappointment. Many said that they trusted the casino to provide a fair and honest gaming experience, and were disturbed to learn that such illegal activity had taken place.
The fallout from this scandal is sure to have repercussions for the casino industry in Massachusetts as a whole, as regulators and law enforcement agencies crack down on illegal activities in the gaming sector. As the case unfolds, more details are likely to emerge about the extent of the cheating scheme and the individuals involved.