Crime certainly does not pay: a player and a dealer at a Boston casino were recently convicted of stealing and cheating at a baccarat game. The dealer memorized the sequence of the cards and revealed it to the player, officials stated. Meanwhile, in other news, a bus driver in California was killed due to a gambling debt, and a man was arrested in Indiana after he asked another person to collect his casino payout.

Two individuals, a casino dealer and a guest, have been sentenced for their involvement in a $15,000 theft at the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Massachusetts. The state's authorities revealed the sentencing on Friday, marking the conclusion of a case that dates back to November 2019, when the scheme first took place.

The dealer, Jianming Li from Delaware, and Jun Na Zhang, a casino guest from New York, were both convicted on multiple charges, including two counts of cheating and swindling more than $1,000, and one count of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme. Their plot, which unfolded in the casino’s high-limit room, involved a coordinated effort to cheat at baccarat, one of the most popular games in high-stakes gambling environments.

The baccarat scheme

According to investigators, Li, who worked as a dealer at the Encore Boston Harbor, used his position to memorize the sequence of cards during baccarat games. In a typical game, dealers shuffle and deal a set of playing cards from a shoe, and players bet on the outcome of each hand. By memorizing the order in which the cards would be dealt, Li was able to share this information with Zhang, allowing him to make bets and win large sums of money illicitly.

The scheme came to light after casino officials noticed irregular betting patterns and discrepancies in the game outcomes, prompting an investigation. Surveillance footage and internal audits corroborated the suspicious activities, leading to the arrest of both Li and Zhang shortly after the incidents.

On Friday, Li was sentenced to a 364-day jail term, though it was suspended for two years. This means Li will not serve time in prison unless he violates his probation conditions within that period. Zhang, the guest who benefited from the dealer's insider knowledge, received a harsher sentence. His 364-day term required him to serve six months in jail, but the remaining time was suspended under similar conditions. Both men now have criminal records and face further scrutiny, including possible restrictions on entering casinos or engaging in gambling activities.

Bus driver killed because of gambling debt in California

In another gambling-related crime, a 33-year-old man from San Jose, California, was charged with murder after allegedly killing a co-worker over a gambling debt. The tragic incident occurred at the Chaboya Division Yard on September 20. The Chaboy Division Yard is a bus depot operated by the Valley Transportation Authority, where both men worked.

The suspect, Duc Minh Bui, reportedly fatally shot Regulus "Reggie" Teotico following a disagreement about money owed from their gambling activities. According to authorities, Bui and Teotico frequently socialized outside of work, often engaging in betting together.

Captain Sugey Jaimez of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office commented on the case, stating, "We believe the motive had to do with money owed between the two from their betting activities, which had nothing to do with their employment."

Bui now faces first-degree murder charges and awaits trial.

Indiana man arrested in casino jackpot scheme

Meanwhile, in Indiana, another gambling-related incident resulted in the arrest of a man for a jackpot collection scheme at Bally's Casino. Henry Rogan was taken into custody on Tuesday after authorities discovered that he had persuaded another casino patron to claim his $2,500 winnings on his behalf.

Rogan's motive behind the scheme was reportedly linked to unpaid child support. According to Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) officers, Rogan owed significant back child support payments, which would have automatically been deducted from his winnings if he had collected them himself. To avoid this, he asked a stranger to claim the money for him.

The scheme unraveled when officers approached the second man, who admitted that he didn't know the suspect and was simply asked to participate in the plan. Rogan now faces criminal charges, adding to the complexity of his legal troubles.