The Pennsylvania State Police made five arrests in April and May involving a $170,000 cheating scheme that, allegedly, involved a Live! Casino Philadelphia table games dealer.
According to a press release from the PSP website, the table games dealer colluded with three patrons in two different games. The PSP made three arrests on the scene at Live! Casino Philadelphia in April. The others happened last month.
Live! Casino Philadelphia did not immediately respond to PlayPennsylvania‘s request for comment.
Five arrests made involving Live! Casino Philadelphia scandal
A Live! Casino Philadelphia table games dealer helped three visitors cheat the casino out of $170,000 over the span of several days in April.
The PSP press release lists Khai Ho as the dealer at the South Philadelphia casino. The other patrons include:
- Dong Liao
- Jessica Yao
- Hang Lin
- Van Tran
Here are the details of the crime, according to the PSP:
“During the commission of this crime, HO, who is employed as a table games dealer, colluded with patrons in an effort to cheat and defraud the casino. While HO was dealing Baccarat, he would switch hands so it would appear as if the players had won. Those players were then paid out. While HO was dealing Pai Gow Tiles, he would falsely shuffle the tiles, leaving behind hands that were already determined. Players would bet based on the knowledge of the falsely shuffeled tiles and therefore gained an illegal advantage. For this involvement, HO was paid in cash outside the casino by these players.”
After the investigation, felony theft and misdemeanor cheating chargers were filed against the five involved in the scandal.
The PSP arrested Ho, Yao and Laio on April 19 at the table inside the casino while Lin and Tran were arrested more than a month later.
Previous cheating cases at Keystone State casinos
It’s no secret that out of thousands upon thousands of visitors at enter Pennsylvania casinos on a daily basis, there are going to be people that attempt to cheat. It is not necessarily a reflection on the casinos. However, it’s up to the properties to catch thieves, including employees, who try and scam properties.
Live! Casino Philadelphia did not respond for comment. So we don’t know exactly what methods are in place to prevent the cheating. Many casinos have updated security measures to catch and prevent incidents early last year.
Two Rivers Casino Pittsburgh employees were arrested running a cheat-at-play scheme through a roulette table earlier this year.
An off-track wagering sports writer at Mohegan Pennsylvania got caught cheating the casino out of nearly $10,000 for placing unpaid sports bets back in January. In January 2023 a Mohegan dealer, and patron, were arrested by the PSP for a $20,000 cheating scheme.
This latest case at Live! Casino Philadelphia won’t be last cheating incident reported in the state. Pennsylvania casinos are going to have to remain on their toes.