Swiss Casinos Zurich Dismantles International Baccarat Scam
Introduction to the Scam Bust
At the recent World Game Protection Conference (WGPC), Swiss Casinos Zurich was recognized for its crucial role in exposing and stopping a major international baccarat cheating operation. The WGPC is known for its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the gambling industry and focuses on combating fraudulent activities such as card counting and chip theft.
From Macau Origins to Exposure in Zurich
The fraudulent scheme, known as the “Chinese Eleven,” originated in Macau but was ultimately uncovered and terminated at Swiss Casinos Zurich. This was one of the most significant scams discovered in a Swiss casino, causing losses totaling approximately $175,000 to gambling operators. WGPC founder Willy Allison praised the casino’s efforts in identifying and capturing the 11 individuals involved in the scam and noted the complexity of prosecuting such cases, especially when collusion is involved.
He also announced that a detailed explanation of how the scam operated and how it was prevented would soon be published in English to assist casinos worldwide in recognizing and defending against similar frauds.
How The Scam Operated
The strategy used by the scammers was surprisingly straightforward. Players covertly recorded the cards as they were dealt and fanned out, focusing on distinctive features like the corners of the cards using a hidden phone camera.
After leaving the table, the players would watch the recorded footage to determine the face-down cards. This method gave them an edge, especially during early attempts, which prompted casino staff to closely monitor their behavior as suspicious patterns emerged. Frequent brief departures from the table were part of their tactics.
In some instances, conspirators concealed cameras in their sleeves and offered to shuffle or cut the deck themselves. They would then use the video footage to identify the sequence of cards and relay this information to accomplices remaining at the table, ensuring they could bet with unfair knowledge.
The Prevalence of Card Game Cheating in Casinos
Cheating and gaining unfair advantages in card games is more widespread than many realize. A notable example involves renowned poker player Phil Ivey, who faced major controversies in the UK and the US for using “edge sorting.” This technique exploits slight imperfections on card edges to predict card values. In 2020, he agreed to settle a legal dispute related to this practice with the Borgata casino.
