Encore Boston Harbor Dealer Convicted for Rigging Games

Article by : Erik Gibbs Oct 15, 2024

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A former dealer at Encore Boston Harbor Casino and a baccarat player were convicted for their involvement in a cheating scheme that resulted in fraudulent winnings. On Friday, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that Jianming Li, a baccarat dealer from Delaware, and Jun Na Zhang, a player from New York, were both found guilty of swindling more than $1,000 and cheating the casino on two separate occasions.

A Middlesex County jury found both Li and Zhang guilty on two counts of cheating and swindling over $1,000 and one count each of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme. According to the indictment, the fraudulent activity took place during two high-stakes baccarat games at Encore Boston Harbor Casino in late 2019. The incidents occurred on two different nights, one in late October and the other in early November.

The scheme involved a coordinated effort between Li, the dealer, and Zhang, the player. Li, who was working as a baccarat dealer in the casino’s high-limit section, used his position to fan and expose cards to himself before dealing. Li would then memorize the sequence of the cards and discreetly communicate the information to Zhang, who used this illicit knowledge to place winning bets.

Zhang’s illegal winnings amounted to approximately $15,000 over the course of the two nights in question.

The convictions follow a broader investigation by Massachusetts law enforcement into cheating activities at the casino. Both men were charged with conspiring to defraud the casino, with Zhang profiting from the cheating scheme and Li abusing his position of trust to facilitate the illegal activity.

In addition to their conviction for cheating and swindling, both Li and Zhang were found guilty of larceny by a single scheme. Larceny by a single scheme is a more serious charge than typical larceny, as it refers to a coordinated, continuous effort to steal property or money through fraudulent means.

Sentencing for Li and Zhang has not yet been scheduled, but under Massachusetts law, they could face significant fines and imprisonment for their crimes. The penalties for larceny over $1,200 and cheating at a casino could carry prison sentences of up to five years, in addition to any restitution they may be ordered to pay to Encore Boston Harbor.

This conviction follows a 2021 indictment involving three individuals implicated in a baccarat cheating scheme at the casino. The original indictment was reported by MassLive and named a third individual in connection with the scheme, but that person was not involved in the 2024 trial or conviction. It is unclear whether the third individual has faced separate legal proceedings or remains at large.

The AGO and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission have made it clear that they will continue to investigate and prosecute instances of cheating in casinos. The state’s strict gaming regulations, enforced by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, are designed to maintain fairness in the industry and protect consumers from fraud.