Ex-Riviera Security Boss Accuses the Las Vegas Casino of Cheating its Customers!

It`s rare when a casino employee at the top level blows the whistle on his casino, but that`s what happened at the Riviera Casino in Las Vegas.

 I know the Riviera quite well. It used to be one of the top and glamorous casinos on the Vegas Strip. When I first arrived in Vegas in 1976 as a nineteen year-old, I legitimately beat its baccarat pit for a hundred grand--before giving it all back and then some in a single day. You might say that my Riviera experience directly led to my career as a professional casino cheat.

 According to the Huffington Post, the former security director of the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas says he was fired for reporting that the casino rigged one of its slot machines. Douglas A. Poppa is suing the Riviera for wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation, Courthouse News reported Tuesday. Poppa's lawyer, Sharon L. Nelson, told The Huffington Post on Tuesday that the case "falls squarely" under Nevada's whistleblowing protections. "Mr. Poppa did the right thing and attempted to correct a wrong perpetrated by the Riviera against the public and its customers," Nelson wrote in an email. "In objecting to what was clearly illegal conduct, Mr. Poppa complained to the proper authorities and for that his career was abruptly and unlawfully ended."

 The Riviera noted it had yet to be served with the papers, but a representative for the hotel-casino said Poppa's claims were not true. "While we do not normally comment on active litigation, the claims included in Mr. Poppa’s complaint are false and totally without merit and we intend to vigorously defend against them," the representative told HuffPost in an email. "We look forward to the actual truth coming out during the course of the legal process."

 In October 2011, Poppa claimed in court papers, he learned that the hotel had manipulated the payout of the "Money Blast" slot machine so customers couldn't win the jackpot, Courthouse News wrote. He reported the alleged cheating to the Gaming Control Board in November 2011 and was suspended by the hotel-casino in December. After receiving a warning by the Riviera to cease communication with the gaming board, he was fired in January 2012, the report notes.

 Global Gaming Business Magazine described Money Blast as a "high-volatility slot" with a dynamite-mining theme. The Riviera, built in 1955, is attempting a renaissance under CEO Andy Choy, who took over in 2010 after the property emerged from bankruptcy, the Las Vegas Sun previously reported.

 My take: Hard to believe that the Riviera engaged in slot-machine fixing, but I certainly believe it!

Ever Wonder What Casino Surveillance Operators Look at Up There?

Well, this is about it.

They watch various video monitors, the actual amount depending on the size and surveillance budget of particular casinos, and very seldom see anything actually happen. Their job is pretty boring to say the least, and many operators actually do lose consciousness up there while you`re gambling or cheating down there in the casino, depending of course, on who you are.

Casinos tend to depend too heavily on their cameras, not realizing that these state-of-the-art cameras cannot tap the surveillance operators on the shoulder and say, "Hey, Rip Van Winkle, I just filmed a cheat move go down on blackjack table number 13!".

Esfandiari`s $18.3 Million WSOP Big One for One Drop Win...Was it Real?

Esfandiari with his cash
BULLSHIT!

You`ve all heard about Antonio Esfandiari`s humongous $18.3 Million dollar win in Guy Laliberte`s special 2012 WSOP grand event called the Big One for One Drop. The question is...was it real? Or was it another hyped-up super-colluded event to increase the poker world's fan base and the celebrity value of star professional poker players?

Well, I will tell you this: About the only thing real with Laliberte`s gig was the 11.11 percent of the forty-eight $1 million buy-ins going to charity. That of course did happen. But are we to believe that each of these 48 players, including former Main Event World Series of Poker champions Phil Hellmuth and Bobby Baldwin, really put up this money to risk?

Absolutely not!

It was all bullshit, just like the Game Show Network`s High Stakes Poker...just like that similar gig back in 2006 where Phil Ivy and a bunch of other poker stars were supposedly putting up $10 million each to win a $60 million grand-prize playing underneath some dome between casinos in Las Vegas. I forgot the name of that one and am not going to bother searching it on the Internet for this article, because it is just not worth wasting my time on bullshit.

In any event, I severely criticized that huge publicity-stunt rubbish back then, and sure enough it was quickly cancelled. This latest gig by Laliberte, who happens to be a billionaire thanks to his "real" make-believe stuff, the super-successful worldwide extravaganza called Cirque du Soleil, is just another adrenaline shot in the arm to the poker world and all its fans and players.

What really happened?

Nothing. Just a staged playout where no real money changed hands. Just like we see on High Stakes Poker.

I wouldn´tbe surprised if the French Canadian billionaire paid each of the other 47 players (excluding himself) a fee to take part in this sham.

Sorry to put the spoiler on this but that what it is...a spoiler.

Casino Table Game Protection Classes in 2013

I will be continuing my Game Protection Training Class Services in 2013.

 This includes Casino Game Protection Seminars and Training, Casino Surveillance Training, Hands-On Dealer and Supervisor Staff Training (this means I get behind the tables with the dealers and SHOW them how to protect their table games).

 I also conduct undercover casino floor investigations to determine why and how particular areas of your casino are not performing like they should be. This includes pinpointing advantage-play, cheating scams, employee theft and dishonest dealers and supervisors working with agents to steal from and cheat the casino.

I am the most qualified expert in the world to offer these services as I have been both a dishonest casino dealer and the most prolific casino cheat in history.

Beware that most of the other so-called game protection experts out there are nothing more than magicians and card-tricksters who make you think they are experts at casino game protection. Some go as far to exaggerate casino cheat scams and advantage-play tactics to make you believe you need to hire them.

 As dishonest as I was as a casino cheat is as HONEST as I am today as a game protection consultant. I provide casino-client references upon request.

 Here is my casino table games protection page detailing all my classes and services.

 Contact me for more details.

Casino Cheating Literature Professor?

Bet Capping

By golly, my deareth Shakespeare...is it true?

According to authorities in the State of Missouri, it is. And of all things, this professor is being accused of capping and pastposting bets. Please don't let the gaming officials take a pound of his flesh!

According to CBS St. Louis, here's what happened:

A Southeast Missouri State University professor pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated at Cape Girardeau´s casino.

Sixty-six year-old Roger C. Arpin, a longtime literature professor, entered the plea Monday. He was arrested Friday at the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. He is charged with "capping" his bets at a blackjack table, meaning he allegedly added to a bet after the cards were dealt and he knew he had an advantage.

The Southeast Missourian reports that Arpin is the first person arrested for cheating at the Cape Girardeau casino since it opened Oct. 30. State gaming officials state that 44 others have been arrested in Missouri´s casinos so far this year.

The charge carries a mazimum of four years in state prison. Anyone convicted of cheating casinos in Missouri is automatically banned for life from all the state´s 13 casinos.

My take: Shouldn´t Professor Arpin, if he is guilty of this, be counting cards at blackjack instead? This way he would be using his intelligence instead of risking his ass!!

Does Your Casino Need a Table Game Protection Seminar or Surveillance Training in 2013?

Table Game Seminar

Well, what has 2012 told you? Are your numbers down? Is your Baccarat hold less than it should be, especially those EZ baccarat tables with all the Panda and Dragon action? What about Roulette and Blackjack? Any sniffs of possible inside dealer scams...maybe with supervisor involvement?

These are the questions you upper casino management directors have to ask yourselves. Remember, in addition to my informative and essential game protection seminar, with emphasis on table games, I now perform complete undercover surveillance operations on casino floors.

If anyone can weed out the scams, advantage play and inside cheating, believe me, it's me! Not to sound "clicheish" but I more than been there and done that.

Contact me for pricing and availability
richard@richardmarcusbooks.com

Indiana Surveillance Director and Ex-Surveillance Director Busted in $400,000 Inside Cheat Scam!

Another Mid-America Insider Casino Cheat Scam!

Two former Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg employees are accused of taking more than $400,000 from the riverboat through false security companies. Indiana State police say a five month long investigation culminated in two arrests this week. Hollywood Casino Surveillance Technician Director, Christopher Krabbe, 42, of West Harrison, is charged with Racketeering-Corrupt Business Influence, Theft, and Money Laundering, all Class C felonies. He was arrested after meeting with police at the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center on Wednesday.

State police had also arrested former Hollywood Casino Surveillance Director, Michael Burnett, 39, of Fairfield, Ohio, on Tuesday. He faces the same charges. Investigators say the two men allegedly setting up two false security equipment companies. The two would then purchase security equipment and charge repair work from their companies to the casino, often overcharging and double billing for the equipment and work. ISP Versailles Post investigators were assisted by investigators from the Indiana Gaming Commission. Krabbe and Burnett have each bonded out of jail by posting $2,500 cash and $10,000 surety bond.

My take: Take a look at these two geniuses! How'd they ever get away with 400 grand for this long? Wow! Says something for the whole integrity of Indiana casinos, doesn't it?

International Pastposter Casino Cheat Goes Down in the UK

An international casino fraudster has been found guilty of cheating at a Piccadilly casino. Jafer Jannati, 57, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and banned from entering any licensed gaming venue in the country. He was performing an illegal “Top Hat” move during a game of Roulette in the Golden Nugget Casino in Shaftesbury Avenue. Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s gaming unit discovered he had placed chips on a winning number after the ball had dropped into the wheel in November last year. The move won Mr Jannati £490 but his luck soon ran out. He was recognised and arrested at another London casino two weeks later.

Police said Mr Jannati, from Acton, is known to have at least one previous conviction, for card-swapping in Switzerland in 2008. DI Ann-Marie Waller, from the gaming unit, said: “Jannati is a regular cheat who is known to have frequented casinos around the world. “We are committed to keeping casinos in London free of cheats, and I am pleased we have brought him to justice.”

My take: Well, this guy may have cheated his way through European casinos during recent years but he hardly strikes me as a top-gtier casino cheat. But heck, if you're gonnna take a shot at cheating casinos and your not that good, the UK is not a bad place to ply your trade as the penalties for casino cheating a quite light. Had Mr. Jannati been caught with his act in the US, he'd be sentenced to a few years of real prison time.

Also, don't you get a kick out of the British way of saying "top-hatting" for pastposting! I do.

See the BEST Video EVER made of Richard Marcus Performing and Describing the Details of the GREAT Savannah Casino Cheat Move!!!

This is the BEST video ever made of me detailing the best casino cheat move of all time, which many of you know is called the SAVANNAH. It was broadcast yesterday by CNBC in the US on their special show "Faking the Grade", a great documentary made by Merrit Motion Pictures about youngsters cheating to gain entry to outstanding universities. The show aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Network back on November 15th.

This video is a MUST-SEE for anyone interested in seeing the REAL DEAL about the famed Savannah move and Richard Marcus

Chinese Pair Guilty of Roselli Brothers Type Casino Credit Scam on Baccarat Tables!

I don't know if this Chinese duo read about the infamous Roselli Casino Credit Scam on my Scam of the Month Page (scroll down to it), but if they did, they should've probably picked up a copy of my book "The World's Greatest Gambling Scams," where the greatest version of the casino credit caper is detailed down to the most minute detail. I'm not saying they wouldn't have been caught had they read my book, but...who knows?

In any event, read about there casino credit baccarat attack and compare it to the Roselli's massive casino credit scam that destroyed casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City back in the mid '90s. I have called the Roselli casino credit scam the best casino scam of all time!

Source: Review Journal

A Southern California man was sentenced Monday to six years in federal prison for defrauding Station Casinos out of more than $1 million in a baccarat credit scheme.

De Rong Shang, 51, also was ordered to pay $1,011,400 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release when he gets out of prison. Prosecutors had sought a nine-year term behind bars, but Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Hunt said he didn't believe a tougher sentence was needed in this case. Both Shang and family members tearfully begged Hunt in court for leniency. The Chinese-born Shang, who also faces deportation after he gets out of prison, showed remorse and apologized to the judge.

"I'm really sorry for what I did in the past," he said through an interpreter. "Your honor, I guarantee to you that for he rest of my life I will be a law-abiding citizen."

Shang, dressed in jail garb and chains, was convicted March 27 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 22 counts of wire fraud after a two-week trial. His co-defendant in the case, Yuli Eaton, 47, of Southern California, pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors. Hunt sentenced her in July to five months in prison and five months of home confinement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Duncan revealed in May that Shang was the target of a new FBI investigation into a similar, but larger, baccarat credit scheme on the Strip. Multiple casinos, including Paris Las Vegas, were alleged to have lost millions of dollars in a scam by Shang's group. Duncan alleged that Shang got involved in the new scheme while waiting to be tried in the Station Casinos scheme.

In court papers seeking a lighter sentence, Los Angeles defense lawyer Anthony Brooklier described Shang as a "loving father and husband whose life careened out of control" because of a gambling addiction.

"He is not criminal by nature, but rather a decent family man who, in the throes of gambling debts, made the desperate and ill-advised decision to participate in the fraudulent conduct that brings him before this court," Brooklier wrote.

In a written response, Duncan called Shang "a greedy, selfish man unconcerned with the consequences of his actions to himself, his family and other supporters." He said Shang, a Chinese citizen who came to the United States in 1991, "preyed upon members of his own community" in the Station Casinos credit scheme.

"This group of mostly Chinese immigrants were easily taken advantage of and were left with ruined credit histories and, in some cases, criminal charges in the Nevada state system," Duncan wrote. In court Monday, Duncan described Shang's crime as a "large-scale fraud" and said he had "no respect for the law."

Brooklier told Hunt that Shang's arrest was a "wake-up call" for him. "Is there no room for redemption?" he asked. "Is there no room for saying I'm sorry?" In handing out the sentence, Hunt said he agreed with prosecutors that Shang's actions were "driven by greed." He told Shang that he should have sought treatment for his gambling addiction rather than trying to defraud Station Casinos.

The scheme unfolded between December 2006 and April 2007 at three of the company's resorts, Red Rock, Green Valley Ranch and Palace Station, prosecutors said. Shang and Eaton recruited people to open Bank of America accounts funded by Shang. Then, Shang helped the recruits apply for lines of credit at the casinos. Once the lines of credit were approved, the recruits transferred the money from their accounts to Shang's account, prosecutors alleged.

The recruits withdrew chips from their lines of credit and played baccarat at the casinos. They carried out a scam known as "rolling the chips" to make it look as though they were losing money, when in fact they were just hiding chips and giving them to other co-conspirators. Shang then cashed in the chips, prosecutors alleged. By the time the casinos tried to collect the unpaid markers, the accounts were drained or closed.

My take: Well, this Chinee duo weren't exactly the Roselli Brothers, who might have been even more greedy than them, but the Roselli Brothers, who ripped the casinos off for nearly $40 million, were obviously also smarter than the Chinese casino-credit scammers.