Alleged Horseshoe Casino Cleveland cheaters appear in court

CLEVELAND - Prosecutors say they have compelling video evidence against the first suspected casino cheaters in Ohio.

Seven men have been indicted in Cleveland on illegal gambling charges, including upping bets after the outcome became apparent. Five defendants appeared in court and pleaded not guilty Wednesday. Another is due for arraignment. The seventh man pleaded not guilty earlier.

The defendants were allowed to remain free on bond.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason says he has surveillance video from the new Horseshoe casino if any case goes to trial. In his words, "It's not going to be difficult to figure out what they are doing."

The seven cheating suspects are homegrown, one from Akron and the rest from the Cleveland area. Most have small-time criminal records including burglary, drugs, theft and insurance fraud.

The cases have mostly similar scenarios: cheating, often in the pre-dawn hours, was detected by a dealer, casino employee or security agent monitoring surveillance cameras.

One suspected cheater was allowed to play blackjack for another hour before being confronted. He was allowed to cash out his chips.

Prosecutors say one cheater pocketed $175 by placing bets after the outcome of a roulette game became known six times and another added chips to a bet after the cards were dealt in a Texas Hold'em game.

A third suspected cheater allegedly distracted the blackjack dealer by talking loudly and pointing to another player while adding to his bet on three occasions.

Two suspects argued with agents when confronted about the alleged gambling and a third gave a false identity, prosecutors said.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said seven suspected cheats didn't seem like a lot given the nearly 500,000 people who visited the Horseshoe casino in its first five weeks of operation. The casino opened May 14.

In late May a casino opened in Toledo, where at least eight cheating and other gambling-related cases have been under investigation.

Casinos also are planned in Cincinnati and Columbus.