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Nevada Gaming Commission Proposes Mississippi Illusionist for Blacklisting

A magician accused of employing his expertise in distraction to deceive casinos was on the list of Nevada's Excluded Individuals disclosed on Wednesday.

SymClub
Jun 8, 2024
2 min read
Newscasino
Shaun Benward promotes himself on social media as a magician. The Nevada Gaming Commission will now...
Shaun Benward promotes himself on social media as a magician. The Nevada Gaming Commission will now decide whether to make him vanish from all casinos in the state.

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Nevada Gaming Commission Proposes Mississippi Illusionist for Blacklisting

A trickster who supposedly exploits deception to defraud casinos was recommended for Nevada's Notorious Individuals List on Wednesday. This is infamously known as the "black book," which permanently forbids people from visiting all casinos in the state of Nevada.

The Gaming Control Board of Nevada suggested Shaun Joseph Benward, 36, after a speech by Michael Somps, the Senior Deputy Attorney General in the Gaming Division of the Nevada Attorney General's Office.

As per Somps, Benward has swindled multiple casinos across the nation out of numerous thousands of dollars by employing a single con game – an allegation supported by various news reports.

Benward's strategy involves collaborating with an associate to baffle roulette dealers. He gains their trust through dialogue, then places his wager after the game has already commenced.

Once the ball has landed, Benward attempts to persuade his dealer that he accidentally placed his chips on the incorrect number. His accomplice adds validity to the claim.

On many instances, an overstressed dealer will authorize the wager to be played. But on other occurrences, Benward is discovered.

As a result, his name is listed on the exclusion lists in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Michigan. Additionally, he possesses cheating charges or convictions in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and Rhode Island.

Somps asserted that Benward has been ejected from 17 Nevada casinos over the years.

It is up to the Nevada Gaming Commission to officially vote Benward onto their black book. However, the timing of this event is not known.

Benward, who hails from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has the opportunity to hold a hearing prior to the vote.

Benward poses with a statue of Julius Caesar inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, one of many
Benward’s YouTube account shows him performing magic under the name Shaun Mistery at the Almanett Hotel in Gulfport, Miss.

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