Yeah, sounds like a tongue-twister but nevertheless it's true. When I was in my prime cheating casinos and poker games, Labor Day Weekend was always one of the prime times to cheat the casinos. I spent practically every Labor Day Weekend from 1979 to 2000 working Atlantic City, whose Boardwalk is filled to the gills and swelling with end-of-summer gamblers...and cheats! I never failed to go home with less than twenty grand profit for the weekend.
Even now, I see, Atlantic City is more popular than Las Vegas among the casino and poker cheating community. I have heard that the AC casinos were hit hard, especially the Borgata which was victimized by blackjack pastposters and organized poker cheating collusion teams. One of the elements that make Atlantic City so good for cheating during summer holiday weekends is the mass crowding on the Boardwalk, which allows for casinos cheats taking heat inside the casino to get out quickly through back doors and onto the Boardwalk where they can disaappear immediately in the throng.
Remember, when cheating casinos and poker rooms, the most important logistical element inside is the best door for escape!
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Friday, September 02, 2011
All-Time Poker Cheating, Online Poker Cheating and Casino Cheating Money List Now Published!
Lots of you have been waiting for this list and here it is, compiled as accurately as humanly possible. Although the online poker cheat at the top of this all-time casino and poker cheating money list is of now surprise, some of the other names here might indeed surprise you.
ALL-TIME POKER AND CASINO CHEAT MONEY LIST
CHEAT DOMAIN/ ESTIMATED CHEAT EARNINGS/ DISPOSITION
1) Russ Hamilton: online poker (UB.com) $16,500,000 Never Charged; 2) Dennis Sean McAndrew: Slot machine cheating rings 15,500,000 two prison sentences; 3) Pat Mallery: casino pastposting/pinching 8,000,000 charged with 0 convictions; 4) Phuong Quoc Truong: Inside Baccarat Scams 6,500,000 seven yrs prison; 5) Van Thu Tran: Inside Baccarat Scams 5,250,000 three yrs prison; 6) Richard Marcus: casino pastposting/pinching 5,000,000 Never Charged; 7) Andre Nestor: Slot machines 3,500,000 Criminal Case Pending; 8) Tommy Glenn Carmichael: Slot machines 3,000,000 one yr prison; 9) Balls Abramowitz: casino pastposting/pinching 2,500,000 charged, 0 convictions; 10) Monique Laurent: rigging roulette wheels 2,000,000 1 yr prison
Honorable Mention: All the poker and casino cheats in the Poker Cheating and Casino Cheating Hall of Fame
You can read in-depth about all these infamous poker and casino cheats on the Hall of Fame page
ALL-TIME POKER AND CASINO CHEAT MONEY LIST
CHEAT DOMAIN/ ESTIMATED CHEAT EARNINGS/ DISPOSITION
1) Russ Hamilton: online poker (UB.com) $16,500,000 Never Charged; 2) Dennis Sean McAndrew: Slot machine cheating rings 15,500,000 two prison sentences; 3) Pat Mallery: casino pastposting/pinching 8,000,000 charged with 0 convictions; 4) Phuong Quoc Truong: Inside Baccarat Scams 6,500,000 seven yrs prison; 5) Van Thu Tran: Inside Baccarat Scams 5,250,000 three yrs prison; 6) Richard Marcus: casino pastposting/pinching 5,000,000 Never Charged; 7) Andre Nestor: Slot machines 3,500,000 Criminal Case Pending; 8) Tommy Glenn Carmichael: Slot machines 3,000,000 one yr prison; 9) Balls Abramowitz: casino pastposting/pinching 2,500,000 charged, 0 convictions; 10) Monique Laurent: rigging roulette wheels 2,000,000 1 yr prison
Honorable Mention: All the poker and casino cheats in the Poker Cheating and Casino Cheating Hall of Fame
You can read in-depth about all these infamous poker and casino cheats on the Hall of Fame page
Lock Poker and Poker Strategy.com Run Away From Portuguese Online Poker Cheat Jose "Girah" Macedo
 |
| Online Poker Cheat Macedo |
Source: Casino Scam Report
Lock Poker and Poker Strategy.com have distanced themselves from poker player Jose “Girah” Macedo over the past weekend and both have released him from contract. It seems that “Macedo” confessed to participating in a high roller scam at these sites. Allegedly Macedo who is well known at Lock Poker and Poker Strategy.com, had invited some friends to the sites for some poker games, but one friend took a big hit and lost more money than he wanted, and that’s when Macedo decided to teach him how to cheat.
Macedo, who is know by the nickname, Portuguese Poker Prodigy, had become a very respected and trusted player among internet gamblers and once he was able to persuade them to manage their online skype meetings where he was given total access to their cards during each hand, which he then passed on to that player’s rivals at the table. Since his cheating days and ultimate exposure, Macedo has agreed to reimburse amounts totaling $300,000 to all players involved in his scams.
Officials at Lock Poker released a statement stating they had no idea of this cheating scam and were in absolute shock when told about it and who was involved. They have banned Macedo permanently, and Poker Strategy.com who had just joined with Macedo as a coach in the tutorial video content force has terminated their alliance with Macedo. The online poker community itself is left confused and frustrated by Macedo’s actions. Why would a poker pro with a good reputation risk it all? Money, respect, career and integrity for such a small total of cash, it is shameful.
My Take: This is what all the online poker networks do when a cheat is exposed inside them. What does it mean as far as the anti-cheating safety of Lock Poker and Poker Strategy.com? Nothing really. Whether or not more online poker cheat scandals emerge on these networks is still a random proposition.
Canadian Reservation Blackjack Flashing Hole-Card Cheat Scam Called "Stupid" But Still Netted Nearly a Hundred Grand Before Tanking Out
The Asians involved in this dealer/player inside casino cheat scam may not have been as sharp as the Tran Organization, which also specialized in cheating Canadian casinos, but they still managed to cheat their target casino out of nearly a $100,000...in spite of being called stupid by the judge who accepted the cheats plea bargains.
Article:
A Chinese immigrant who cheated at the Golden Eagle Casino says he didn't know why the dealer initiated the three-month-long scam.
Xiajun "Jim" Zhuang, 32, pleaded not guilty to cheating at play, but guilty to the lesser included offence of theft under $5,000, for knowingly cheating the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority of $1,500 between October 2008 and January 2009.
He was sentenced Monday to a conditional discharge that will spare him a criminal record after he completes five months on probation and repays the stolen money.
Zhuang was one of several customers who benefitted from a crooked dealer who is alleged to have cheated the casino of $86,000 between August 2008 and January 2009, Crown prosecutor Mitch Piche told Judge David Kaiser.
The dealer was seen on surveillance video flashing cards at players, offering insurance to Blackjack players after looking at cards and seeing the player would lose and letting players know when they would win so they could increase their bets, Piche said.
Zhuang was an experienced gambler who knew how to benefit from the dealer's practices.
He was "pushy and persistent," but less culpable than the dealer, Piche said.
Defence lawyer Wei Woo, who appeared by telephone, said his client is a landed immigrant with limited English.
The dealer did not take any profit for himself and Zhuang didn't know why the dealer offered him the opportunities to cheat, Woo said.
Woo blamed the casino for causing the problem, saying it did not appropriately monitor its dealer, who drew players into the offences.
His client showed "stupidity as a new immigrant" by participating in the theft, Woo said.
The conditional discharge is important to Zhuang, who would be at risk of deportation if he incurred a criminal record, Woo said.
Woo said the Crown's suggestion of an eight-month probation was too harsh since his client has agreed to repay the $1,500 and has lost more than $20,000 to the casino.
Kaiser sentenced Zhuang to five months probation, ordered he pay restitution and not go into any SIGA casinos.
Two other players were sentenced last month for participating in the scams. Reuben Ian Bear was sentenced to 12 months on probation for theft and ordered to pay $1,250 restitution. Wade Wang, who had no criminal record, pleaded guilty to cheating at play and was granted a conditional discharge of 12 months on probation and immediately repaid the $2,500 he had taken. Co-accused Christopher Stone-Spyglass and Ken Mark return to court Sept. 28.
Article:
A Chinese immigrant who cheated at the Golden Eagle Casino says he didn't know why the dealer initiated the three-month-long scam.
Xiajun "Jim" Zhuang, 32, pleaded not guilty to cheating at play, but guilty to the lesser included offence of theft under $5,000, for knowingly cheating the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority of $1,500 between October 2008 and January 2009.
He was sentenced Monday to a conditional discharge that will spare him a criminal record after he completes five months on probation and repays the stolen money.
Zhuang was one of several customers who benefitted from a crooked dealer who is alleged to have cheated the casino of $86,000 between August 2008 and January 2009, Crown prosecutor Mitch Piche told Judge David Kaiser.
The dealer was seen on surveillance video flashing cards at players, offering insurance to Blackjack players after looking at cards and seeing the player would lose and letting players know when they would win so they could increase their bets, Piche said.
Zhuang was an experienced gambler who knew how to benefit from the dealer's practices.
He was "pushy and persistent," but less culpable than the dealer, Piche said.
Defence lawyer Wei Woo, who appeared by telephone, said his client is a landed immigrant with limited English.
The dealer did not take any profit for himself and Zhuang didn't know why the dealer offered him the opportunities to cheat, Woo said.
Woo blamed the casino for causing the problem, saying it did not appropriately monitor its dealer, who drew players into the offences.
His client showed "stupidity as a new immigrant" by participating in the theft, Woo said.
The conditional discharge is important to Zhuang, who would be at risk of deportation if he incurred a criminal record, Woo said.
Woo said the Crown's suggestion of an eight-month probation was too harsh since his client has agreed to repay the $1,500 and has lost more than $20,000 to the casino.
Kaiser sentenced Zhuang to five months probation, ordered he pay restitution and not go into any SIGA casinos.
Two other players were sentenced last month for participating in the scams. Reuben Ian Bear was sentenced to 12 months on probation for theft and ordered to pay $1,250 restitution. Wade Wang, who had no criminal record, pleaded guilty to cheating at play and was granted a conditional discharge of 12 months on probation and immediately repaid the $2,500 he had taken. Co-accused Christopher Stone-Spyglass and Ken Mark return to court Sept. 28.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Latest Online Poker Cheat Sensation is Well-Respected (was) Portuguese Poker Pro
Source
Online poker has suffered another blow to its reputation after 18 year-old Portuguese poker pro José “Girah” Macedo admitted organising an online poker swindle which netted him $30,000.
Apparently, the ‘sting’ involved some of his online high stakes friends/the marks being duped into playing against a so-called ‘fish’ chosen by Macedo in a series of online heads-up cash games.
However, the fish, whose screen name was “sauron1989″ was in fact José “Girah” Macedo himself, who then proceeded to take his buddies from a private strategy group for around $30.000.
In order for the scam to work, José “Girah” Macedo abused his trusted position as part of the heads-up strategy discussion group on Skype to obtain information on his opponent’s hole cards in real time, under the pretence of railing the study group and offering advise later.
During a monitoring session, group member “ImFromSweden” then proceeded to lose around $10,000 over 70 hands of $10/$20 HU NLHE to “sauron1989,” before 10 days later “jajay1963″ lost a further $21,900 to the same player at $25/$50 HU NLHE.
Suspecting foul play “jajay1963″ then contacted the Skype discussion group creator “TooCuriousso1″ and before long the pair also noticed that “sauron1989″ and Macedo would always log on and out of Skype at the same times.
Along with other circumstantial evidence, they then took their findings to the 2+2 forum prompting a quick admission of guilt from José “Girah” Macedo, who offered to pay back those he cheated in full plus compensation. His post read:
“A while ago, I did something stupid. A friend of mine, whom I introduced to poker, made a suggestion to me which was, I’m not going to sugar coat it, cheating. I had introduced this friend to poker, and he was losing money — badly. He asked to play some of my poker friends and said ‘why don’t you sweat them and we’ll see their hands.’ I don’t know why I agreed. I don’t know why I did it. I guess it was a mixture of guilt and stupidity and feeling shitty for getting him involved in something which seemed to be bad for him.”
Macedo then went on to say: “I’m holding my hands up and taking whatever consequences come. I realise the severity of this, but I also realise that I have to take responsibility for my actions and so I’m paying back everyone involved and in addition paying them compensation of $30,000. I’ve also told my sponsor etc and whatever happens there I will take the consequences too. They have been really amazing to me and I’ve enjoyed every minute of working with them. Representing Lock and being part of their amazing team, witnessing the incredible growth, was a pleasure and an honor.”
José “Girah” Macedo has since been dropped from Team LockPRO, as well as losing his position as an instructor at Team PokerStrategy.
My take: Hooray! We finally got a big-time online poker cheat from Portugal...Surprised?...I'm not...in the least.
Singapore Surveillance Inspector Charged With Cheating Marina Bay Sands Out of $150,000!
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| Eye in the Sky Cheat |
Source:
A former video surveillance officer with the Marina Bay Sands was charged on Aug 24 with cheating its casino of nearly $150,000 between July 16 and Aug 14, 2011.
Court documents state that on 33 occasions, Ho Boon Keat, 28, allegedly allowed accomplices to be paid winnings by deceiving the pit managers that their bets were valid.
The offences are said to have been committed on the Sic Bo tables of the casino. The game involves the spinning of three dice and there could be payment of up to 180 times of the bet if all three of a specific number appear.
It is believed that Ho's four accomplices would use sleight of hand to place late bets, known in the casino industry as past posting. If the pit manager suspected that the bet was placed after the results were known and calls up the video surveillance officer to check, it is believed Ho would give the all clear and the bet will be honoured. Two of the accomplices - Benson Ho, 24, and Ang Chee Peng, 28 - are at large, while Bai Qipei, 24, and Toh Kaida, 28, are presently assisting police in their investigations.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Not First Police Officer to Plead Guilty to Casino Cheating
In a sad casino cheat case from San Diego, California, a police officer serving the nearby community of Chula Vista has pleaded guilty to capping his blackjack bets at the Syvuan Casino located outside of San Diego.
Thirty-year-old cop Jesus Angel Salazar copped out to a misdemeanor and will receive only probation, which seems fair in the case as not much money, mainly red $5 gaming chips, was involved. He also pled guilty to driving under the influence, which may have helped him avoid jail time for the casino cheating charge.
My take: I am always saddened to hear about police officers getting involved in cheating casinos. In most cases, it comes with the pressure of the job and related marital problems, and often stems directly from drinking problems. I am glad to see that the courts took it easy on this guy, and hopefully he can continue on serving his community as a law enforcement officer.
Thirty-year-old cop Jesus Angel Salazar copped out to a misdemeanor and will receive only probation, which seems fair in the case as not much money, mainly red $5 gaming chips, was involved. He also pled guilty to driving under the influence, which may have helped him avoid jail time for the casino cheating charge.
My take: I am always saddened to hear about police officers getting involved in cheating casinos. In most cases, it comes with the pressure of the job and related marital problems, and often stems directly from drinking problems. I am glad to see that the courts took it easy on this guy, and hopefully he can continue on serving his community as a law enforcement officer.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Acclaimed Blackjack Dealer Busted in Holland Casino For Ripping Off Tables For Millions Using South African Cup Scam!
I hardly believe this is true, but it's in print all over the Internet. For a description of the ol' South African Cup Scam, go here.
Source: ackchamp.com
An internationally acclaimed award winning blackjack dealer arrested for stealing millions from casino. Mr. Hon-Kee ‘Honky’ Man, 36, has been an internationally acclaimed blackjack card games dealer for close to a decade, winning the coveted Blackjack Croupier of the Year for the past three years in a row.
This year, Honky was a favorite with the Black Jack Tournament judges and practically had the unprecedented 4 year winning streak in his pocked had it not been for his unexpected arrest for cheating Holland Casino out of millions of dollars.
The talented roulette and blackjack dealer, who last year impressed international blackjack awards judges with his ‘amazing techniques behind the blackjack table’ got fired from the casino and arrested for a different kind of amazing technique behind the blackjack table.
For the past month, Holland Casino has been keeping a close eye on Honky, after a trainee blackjack dealer who idolized Honky and often observed him out of the corner of his eyes, witnessed Honky colluding with players and frequently overpaying winning bets by thousands of dollars using ‘sleight of hand’ techniques.
Reports put Holland Casino’s overall losses at over a million and the casino has been reviewing old security tapes to detect when the cheating has begun. Since becoming a superstar, Honky was not observed as frequently by casino security as he should have. It is the casino security, whose laxity may be partially to blame for the scheme not being uncovered sooner.
The arrest came about immediately after Honky Man was observed using a hollow device resembling a thimble painted to resemble a stack of 5 euro chips. Inside this hollow thimble, hundred euro chips were allegedly secreted by Honky M and passed to his accomplice.
Both Honky Man as well as his unnamed accomplice was arrested in the middle of the shift as a warning to all employees that the eye in the sky is always watching.
In an interesting turn of events, a police source close to the investigation revealed that Honky Man is allegedly a member of the powerful Sun Yee On Triad, the largest international Chinese Mafia sect in the world, numbering over 40,000 members and a half million associates.
Since his arrest, the best blackjack dealer in the world has been silent and very little information is available about the ongoing investigation into the Chinese mafia’s infiltration of Holland Casino.
Source: ackchamp.com
An internationally acclaimed award winning blackjack dealer arrested for stealing millions from casino. Mr. Hon-Kee ‘Honky’ Man, 36, has been an internationally acclaimed blackjack card games dealer for close to a decade, winning the coveted Blackjack Croupier of the Year for the past three years in a row.
This year, Honky was a favorite with the Black Jack Tournament judges and practically had the unprecedented 4 year winning streak in his pocked had it not been for his unexpected arrest for cheating Holland Casino out of millions of dollars.
The talented roulette and blackjack dealer, who last year impressed international blackjack awards judges with his ‘amazing techniques behind the blackjack table’ got fired from the casino and arrested for a different kind of amazing technique behind the blackjack table.
For the past month, Holland Casino has been keeping a close eye on Honky, after a trainee blackjack dealer who idolized Honky and often observed him out of the corner of his eyes, witnessed Honky colluding with players and frequently overpaying winning bets by thousands of dollars using ‘sleight of hand’ techniques.
Reports put Holland Casino’s overall losses at over a million and the casino has been reviewing old security tapes to detect when the cheating has begun. Since becoming a superstar, Honky was not observed as frequently by casino security as he should have. It is the casino security, whose laxity may be partially to blame for the scheme not being uncovered sooner.
The arrest came about immediately after Honky Man was observed using a hollow device resembling a thimble painted to resemble a stack of 5 euro chips. Inside this hollow thimble, hundred euro chips were allegedly secreted by Honky M and passed to his accomplice.
Both Honky Man as well as his unnamed accomplice was arrested in the middle of the shift as a warning to all employees that the eye in the sky is always watching.
In an interesting turn of events, a police source close to the investigation revealed that Honky Man is allegedly a member of the powerful Sun Yee On Triad, the largest international Chinese Mafia sect in the world, numbering over 40,000 members and a half million associates.
Since his arrest, the best blackjack dealer in the world has been silent and very little information is available about the ongoing investigation into the Chinese mafia’s infiltration of Holland Casino.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Soon To Come...All-Time Casino and Poker Cheats Money-List!!!
I have been getting emails from people asking who are the biggest money winning poker and casino cheats of all-time. Many are curious about this because they have read the World Series of Poker players all-time prize money lists and the complete WPT all-time poker tournament money lists. Although this will be harder to compile than the poker money-winning lists, as earnings from cheating poker and casinos are not general public knowledge except in some cases, I will do my best to post this list shortly.
Stay Tuned!
Stay Tuned!
Casino Cheating in France! Tricheries Aux Casinos Francais!
I came across this great article in the French Magazine "Le Point" on the massive cheating going on in French Casinos, especially in those ritzy gambling palaces in Monaco, Caanes and along the rest of the French Riviera, where I, myself, have done some serious casino cheating over the years! If you do not read French, use the Google translator and you should get the gist of it...Enjoy.
En 1873, Joseph Jagger repère une roulette défectueuse au casino de Monte-Carlo et décide de l'exploiter à son avantage. En peu de temps, cet ingénieur britannique amasse 2 millions de francs-or, l'équivalent actuel de 3 millions et demi d'euros ! Plus d'un siècle plus tard, de nombreux cerveaux tout aussi ingénieux que peu scrupuleux lui ont emboîté le pas. "La grande époque de la triche sur la Côte d'Azur se situe dans les années 70 et 80", confie Christian B., responsable de la vidéosurveillance du Ruhl Casino Barrière à Nice. Au cours de l'été de 1979, un gang mené par un Tchèque parvient ainsi à rafler 30 millions de francs aux tables de jeu, dont le tiers provient du casino municipal de Cannes. Quatre ans auparavant, des truands fichés au grand banditisme avaient délesté le palais de la Méditerranée à Nice de 5 millions de francs en une seule partie truquée ! C'est aussi le temps des affaires de baronnage, où clients et croupiers sont de mèche, et qui éclaboussent l'ensemble du littoral azuréen."La plus grosse affaire reste celle du Palm Beach à Cannes, à la fin des années 80", confie Anne-Marie Sallenave, chef de la section niçoise de la police des courses et jeux. Dix-huit prévenus avaient été interpellés à l'époque et le casino avait fermé ses portes. Le montant détourné ? "Incalculable", dit-elle. Dans un article publié en avril 1990,L'Humanité parle d'une escroquerie qui "porterait sur 50 millions de francs" rien que pour l'année 1988.
Flagrant délit. En 2011,"la triche est devenue marginale", assure Anne-Marie Sallenave. Il est vrai que, avec l'arrivée de moyens de surveillance performants et l'instauration de réglementations strictes, les tricheurs professionnels semblent appartenir à une espèce en voie d'extinction."Avec 200 caméras installées, je vois passer le moindre moustique dans mon établissement", assure Jean-Charles Pitt, directeur du Ruhl Casino Barrière à Nice. Si l'on ajoute à la vidéosurveillance le contrôle obligatoire d'identité depuis 2006, des tables de jeu sur écoute, la création ces dernières années d'un fichier national qui liste les joueurs indésirables, les casinos de la Côte, une quinzaine en tout, ont toutes les raisons d'afficher une certaine sérénité.
Ce qui n'empêche pas des fraudeurs futés de tenter leur chance. En 2004, à Beaulieu-sur-Mer, un gang international a mis au point un scénario digne de "Mission impossible". Les joueurs utilisaient des minicaméras dissimulées dans leurs manches pour espionner le jeu de leurs adversaires. Les images étaient transmises à un ordinateur piloté par un complice à l'extérieur, qui leur indiquait les consignes à suivre grâce à des oreillettes. Bilan : 40 000 euros extorqués en une soirée au stud poker et une prise en flagrant délit ! "Au début des années 2000, des Italiens, dont un ancien croupier, avaient mis de la limaille de fer dans une bille truquée. Ils agissaient avec un aimant pour la contrôler et ont réussi à prendre 470 000 francs", raconte également Jean-Pierre Alezra, commissaire divisionnaire et chef du Service central des courses et jeux en France. On citera aussi le cas d'Ali Tekintamgac, un Allemand d'origine turque, disqualifié en septembre 2010 du Partouche Poker Tour, au Palm-Beach à Cannes, pour avoir comploté avec un faux journaliste.
Fil invisible. Mais ces cas restent exceptionnels. De manière générale,"la triche reste artisanale", insiste Anne-Marie Sallenave. A l'image de ce joueur qui avait accroché son jeton à un fil de Nylon invisible, juste avant de goûter aux geôles monégasques. Ou de ces trois "empalmeurs" italiens qui dissimulaient des jetons dans le creux de leur paume à l'automne 2010 au casino Ruhl Barrière. Loin des tricheries audacieuses d'autrefois, "on a davantage affaire aujourd'hui à des opportunistes qui volent des jetons qui traînent ", commente Christian B. Une pratique, bien que tolérée par la loi, est particulièrement dans le collimateur des casinos : le comptage de cartes. Avec l'installation ces dernières années de sabots électroniques, qui mélangent le jeu en permanence, cette activité est désormais rendue "impossible ", selon les professionnels. Impossible ? Un employé de casino affirme que, récemment, l'un de ces calculateurs de génie, originaire d'Europe centrale, est reparti avec 100 000 euros en poche après une partie de black jack dans un établissement azuréen. "C'est comme voler une Rolls-Royce en pièces détachées. Ils ne sont qu'une poignée dans le monde à pouvoir faire ce qu'il a fait", dit-il.
Que ce soit aux tables de jeu ou aux machines à sous, on peut se demander combien de petits malins réussissent à passer au travers des mailles du filet. "Le temps que l'on détecte la fraude à la vidéo, les tricheurs sont souvent partis", reconnaît Philippe Frizon, chef de l'antenne PJ à Nice. Difficile ensuite de leur mettre le grappin dessus, d'autant que certains fraudeurs, en majorité des étrangers, n'hésitent pas à utiliser de faux papiers pour parvenir à leurs fins. Certaines arnaques restent également difficiles à authentifier. En 2007, trois Scandinaves sont parvenus à subtiliser 10 000 euros aux machines à sous d'un établissement niçois. Repérée par la vidéo, la bande a finalement été relâchée par manque de preuves. Christian B., du casino Ruhl, l'assure : "99,8 % des affaires finissent par être connues, car les tricheurs reviennent tous."
En 1873, Joseph Jagger repère une roulette défectueuse au casino de Monte-Carlo et décide de l'exploiter à son avantage. En peu de temps, cet ingénieur britannique amasse 2 millions de francs-or, l'équivalent actuel de 3 millions et demi d'euros ! Plus d'un siècle plus tard, de nombreux cerveaux tout aussi ingénieux que peu scrupuleux lui ont emboîté le pas. "La grande époque de la triche sur la Côte d'Azur se situe dans les années 70 et 80", confie Christian B., responsable de la vidéosurveillance du Ruhl Casino Barrière à Nice. Au cours de l'été de 1979, un gang mené par un Tchèque parvient ainsi à rafler 30 millions de francs aux tables de jeu, dont le tiers provient du casino municipal de Cannes. Quatre ans auparavant, des truands fichés au grand banditisme avaient délesté le palais de la Méditerranée à Nice de 5 millions de francs en une seule partie truquée ! C'est aussi le temps des affaires de baronnage, où clients et croupiers sont de mèche, et qui éclaboussent l'ensemble du littoral azuréen."La plus grosse affaire reste celle du Palm Beach à Cannes, à la fin des années 80", confie Anne-Marie Sallenave, chef de la section niçoise de la police des courses et jeux. Dix-huit prévenus avaient été interpellés à l'époque et le casino avait fermé ses portes. Le montant détourné ? "Incalculable", dit-elle. Dans un article publié en avril 1990,L'Humanité parle d'une escroquerie qui "porterait sur 50 millions de francs" rien que pour l'année 1988.
Flagrant délit. En 2011,"la triche est devenue marginale", assure Anne-Marie Sallenave. Il est vrai que, avec l'arrivée de moyens de surveillance performants et l'instauration de réglementations strictes, les tricheurs professionnels semblent appartenir à une espèce en voie d'extinction."Avec 200 caméras installées, je vois passer le moindre moustique dans mon établissement", assure Jean-Charles Pitt, directeur du Ruhl Casino Barrière à Nice. Si l'on ajoute à la vidéosurveillance le contrôle obligatoire d'identité depuis 2006, des tables de jeu sur écoute, la création ces dernières années d'un fichier national qui liste les joueurs indésirables, les casinos de la Côte, une quinzaine en tout, ont toutes les raisons d'afficher une certaine sérénité.
Ce qui n'empêche pas des fraudeurs futés de tenter leur chance. En 2004, à Beaulieu-sur-Mer, un gang international a mis au point un scénario digne de "Mission impossible". Les joueurs utilisaient des minicaméras dissimulées dans leurs manches pour espionner le jeu de leurs adversaires. Les images étaient transmises à un ordinateur piloté par un complice à l'extérieur, qui leur indiquait les consignes à suivre grâce à des oreillettes. Bilan : 40 000 euros extorqués en une soirée au stud poker et une prise en flagrant délit ! "Au début des années 2000, des Italiens, dont un ancien croupier, avaient mis de la limaille de fer dans une bille truquée. Ils agissaient avec un aimant pour la contrôler et ont réussi à prendre 470 000 francs", raconte également Jean-Pierre Alezra, commissaire divisionnaire et chef du Service central des courses et jeux en France. On citera aussi le cas d'Ali Tekintamgac, un Allemand d'origine turque, disqualifié en septembre 2010 du Partouche Poker Tour, au Palm-Beach à Cannes, pour avoir comploté avec un faux journaliste.
Fil invisible. Mais ces cas restent exceptionnels. De manière générale,"la triche reste artisanale", insiste Anne-Marie Sallenave. A l'image de ce joueur qui avait accroché son jeton à un fil de Nylon invisible, juste avant de goûter aux geôles monégasques. Ou de ces trois "empalmeurs" italiens qui dissimulaient des jetons dans le creux de leur paume à l'automne 2010 au casino Ruhl Barrière. Loin des tricheries audacieuses d'autrefois, "on a davantage affaire aujourd'hui à des opportunistes qui volent des jetons qui traînent ", commente Christian B. Une pratique, bien que tolérée par la loi, est particulièrement dans le collimateur des casinos : le comptage de cartes. Avec l'installation ces dernières années de sabots électroniques, qui mélangent le jeu en permanence, cette activité est désormais rendue "impossible ", selon les professionnels. Impossible ? Un employé de casino affirme que, récemment, l'un de ces calculateurs de génie, originaire d'Europe centrale, est reparti avec 100 000 euros en poche après une partie de black jack dans un établissement azuréen. "C'est comme voler une Rolls-Royce en pièces détachées. Ils ne sont qu'une poignée dans le monde à pouvoir faire ce qu'il a fait", dit-il.
Que ce soit aux tables de jeu ou aux machines à sous, on peut se demander combien de petits malins réussissent à passer au travers des mailles du filet. "Le temps que l'on détecte la fraude à la vidéo, les tricheurs sont souvent partis", reconnaît Philippe Frizon, chef de l'antenne PJ à Nice. Difficile ensuite de leur mettre le grappin dessus, d'autant que certains fraudeurs, en majorité des étrangers, n'hésitent pas à utiliser de faux papiers pour parvenir à leurs fins. Certaines arnaques restent également difficiles à authentifier. En 2007, trois Scandinaves sont parvenus à subtiliser 10 000 euros aux machines à sous d'un établissement niçois. Repérée par la vidéo, la bande a finalement été relâchée par manque de preuves. Christian B., du casino Ruhl, l'assure : "99,8 % des affaires finissent par être connues, car les tricheurs reviennent tous."
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