Nevada Bans Illusionist From All Casinos for Being a ‘Threat’ to the State

Article by : Erik Gibbs Dec 28, 2023

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Unanimously, the Nevada Gaming Commission added illusionist Shaun Joseph Benward to the roster of individuals excluded from Nevada casinos, commonly known as the “black book.”

This decision came after it was revealed that 17 Nevada properties had already added Benward to a blacklist. The Senior Deputy Attorney General, Michael Somps, presented the action during the December 21 meeting.

In the motion, Somps emphasized the need to exclude Benward due to potential threats to the state’s interests and licensed gaming establishments. Benward is now listed in the “black books” of four states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan and Missouri.

The Nevada List of Excluded Persons on the board’s website features 36 individuals, with Benward as the most recent addition, following Leonard Hairston in November 2022.

Despite the decision, Benward’s photo and information are yet to be added to the exclusion list on the board’s website as of Friday afternoon.

On September 6, the board expressed apprehensions regarding Benward’s presence in licensed gaming establishments, citing concerns about the perceived threat he poses to the state’s interests and licensed gaming activities.

This apprehension ultimately led to the unanimous decision to include him in the “black book.”

However, Benward has a significant history of engaging in schemes to defraud casinos, particularly known for using distractions to manipulate roulette dealers and place late bets with accomplices.

Investigated by board agents in 2017 for a suspected roulette scheme in southern Nevada, Benward faced arrests in Las Vegas in November 2020 and August 2021.

Despite pleading guilty in September 2022, charges were dismissed in September after a year of staying out of trouble.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael Somps highlighted that Benward’s actions align with factors considered for inclusion in the “black book,” such as prior convictions for gaming law violations and crimes involving moral turpitude.

Benward was also noted for having a notorious reputation affecting public confidence and written orders of exclusion from gaming establishments.

Benward was served with the board’s order of nomination and notice of candidacy, both by mail and in person, giving him 30 days to request a hearing before the commission, which he did not.

The commission, confirming his awareness, proceeded with the unanimous decision to include him in the “black book” at the meeting, marking his exclusion from Nevada casinos.