Casino Crime Roundup: Bally’s Casino Chicago Visitor Robbed By Gunman

Posted on: September 18, 2024, 08:48h. 

Last updated on: September 19, 2024, 09:48h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

An armed bandit stole an unspecified amount of money from a man shortly after he left Bally’s Casino Chicago early Wednesday.

The 44-year-old victim was entering his parked car on Chicago’s East Ohio Street when, at about 2:30 a.m., the suspect drove behind him, exited his sedan, and pulled out a firearm before demanding the victim’s money.

The man handed cash over to the robber who then fled the scene. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

The casino released a statement confirming the incident and is cooperating with investigators.

It’s likely local police officers are reviewing casino surveillance camera footage.

Casino Cheaters Avoid Jail

Two poker players at Live! Casino Pittsburgh were given probation recently after being charged with playing with marked cards.

Bahri Sahpolat, 47, of California, and Serdar Ozmen, 44, of Maryland, used the illicit cards last month when playing Mississippi Stud poker at the gaming property, according to TribLive.

The players won more than $12K during the games and their cheating was videotaped through casino surveillance cameras.

Upon their arrest, they were charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal trespassing, and use of a cheating device. $12K was seized from the two men upon their arrests.

The trespassing charge later was dropped and a judge approved a plea agreement that gave them a special form of probation known as accelerated rehabilitative disposition.

The men didn’t have to enter guilty pleas and, if they complete the probationary period, the charges will be eliminated from their criminal records.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger ordered the men to pay the casino $1,047 and barred them from returning to the gaming property.

Through sophisticated security measures, Live Casino officials were able to detect the illegal activity of the individuals,” casino spokesperson Tom Meinert told TribLive.

“We immediately contacted the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and have been working with them throughout the duration of this investigation.”

Adult Allegedly Tried to Sneak Teens Into Casino

Christal Mutua, 39, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. allegedly concocted a plot to let her underage child and a second teenager onto the casino floor last week at the Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Security guards stopped the pair at the entrance. Mutua ran away and the girl walked away to a parking lot, authorities said.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Gaming Enforcement said Mutua’s mother took part in the scheme. Officers plan to charge her.

The minimum age to enter the casino is 21.