Macau Police Arrest Eight in Casino Poker Fraud Case
Macau authorities have detained eight residents in connection with an alleged large-scale casino fraud involving the manipulation of poker cards to control game results. The arrests, which include both casino staff and civilians, follow an investigation by the Judiciary Police into a scheme that reportedly caused losses of approximately HK$4.54 million to the targeted gaming venue.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to police information provided to media outlet Teledifusão de Macau, five of those taken into custody were employees of the casino, working in positions such as table managers, supervisors, and dealers. These individuals are believed to have been recruited by a criminal syndicate that orchestrated the cheating operation. The remaining three suspects are alleged to be the core members who developed the plan and coordinated its execution on the casino floor.
Related: Gambling-Related Crime in Macau Climbed in 2024Investigators allege that the group exploited insider access to manipulate the order of playing cards in the card shoe used in poker games. The resequencing took place in a private room before the equipment was returned to active play.
This allowed designated players, acting as part of the conspiracy, to know the sequence of cards that would be dealt, enabling them to place bets with near certainty of winning. Police stated that the scheme was carried out twice this year, once in late March and again in early May.
Evidence collected during the investigation indicates that each employee involved received illicit payments ranging from HK$170,000 to HK$500,000 for their participation. In the course of searches conducted on the suspects' premises, law enforcement recovered HK$2.94 million in cash, which is believed to be linked to the fraudulent activities.
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Insider Help Key to Operation
Police reports suggest that the group's ability to coordinate between floor staff and outside accomplices was central to the operation's success. The manipulation of the card shoe, combined with the placement of calculated wagers, gave the perpetrators an overwhelming advantage over the house. The method required precise timing, cooperation among multiple casino employees, and a secure location to alter the cards without detection.
All eight suspects have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for formal processing. They are facing charges that include participation in a criminal organization and large-scale fraud, both of which carry significant penalties under Macau law. Authorities have confirmed that they are pursuing additional suspects who are believed to have aided in the scheme but remain at large.
The Judiciary Police emphasized the serious threat such insider collusion poses to Macau's gaming sector, noting that the financial losses are compounded by potential damage to the industry's reputation. The current investigation remains active as police work to trace all financial flows connected to the case and secure evidence against those suspected of involvement.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the integrity of casino operations in one of the world's largest gambling hubs. Industry observers note that while Macau has strict gaming regulations and surveillance systems, sophisticated schemes that exploit human cooperation can still bypass technological safeguards.
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