Roulette Dealer in Spain Caught Altering Wheel for Father's Victory
Last year, a roulette scam was uncovered at Casino Mediterraneo Alicante in Alicante, Spain, involving two employees and the father of one of them. The wheeler dealer and table supervisor, who happened to be the croupier's wife, were both arrested for their actions.
This trio had a goal to cheat the casino out of millions of euros, and within a month, they managed to earn nearly €50,000 ($54,410) as they executed their plan. The casino employees helped set up the roulette game to ensure the croupier's father could consistently win.
The casino quickly caught on to the scheme and ended it after contacting the police. Now, the three are facing trial for their crimes.
A Familiar Con in a New Form
Roulette scams are nothing new. They date back over a century, with some casinos trying to rip off gamblers, and criminals always seeking ways to cheat the system.
The conspiracy at Casino Mediterraneo adopted a different approach than most roulette-related cons. Instead of tampering with the ball to land on a specific number, the chips were moved onto the winning spot on the layout when the ball stopped spinning.
This deception was repeated for five days in February and an additional 14 days in March the previous year. During this period, the three individuals stole €46,325 ($50,410) in cash. The father was a constant winner, earning at least €400 ($435) per day, according to the prosecution.
The prosecutor's office wants the three to face trial and has filed an indictment against them. They consider the three individuals guilty of a continuous crime of fraud and are asking for a three-year prison sentence for the two casino workers. They also want a two-year prison sentence for the croupier's father.
The prosecutors are also pushing for restitution of the stolen money, along with fees and interest.
Inadequate Strategizing, Poor Execution
On the days when the couple worked the American roulette table, the father of the unnamed croupier would visit the casino, heading directly to the table his son was overseeing.
The decision to only play at the roulette table, where he had family members overseeing the action, increased suspicion. Casinos closely monitor their tables, and it's also prohibited by gaming regulations in Alicante.
To execute the plan, the man placed a bet on a dropped ball, and the two employees agreed to accept the wager despite the ball already coming to a halt. The croupier, in collusion with the table manager, then secretly placed the chips that his father had bet on the number where the ball had landed.
Despite Spain's efforts to maintain fair play in their roulette games, both manual and electronic, crooks continue to attempt to bypass the system. However, with each failed attempt, casinos learn and make adjustments to protect against future attempts.
Image: Casino Mediterraneo
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Source: www.casino.org
