Pennsylvania Casino Workers Arrested in “Complex Cheating” Scheme

Article by : Erik Gibbs Mar 18, 2024

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Pennsylvania police have apprehended two Rivers Casino staff members implicated in what authorities describe as an intricate cheating scheme centered around a roulette table.

The accused, identified as Robin Schnepp, a table games dealer, and Anthony Laush, a supervisor, allegedly colluded with at least two players to orchestrate multiple instances of cheating, resulting in substantial financial gains.

The investigation was set in motion by an anonymous letter dispatched to Rivers Casino earlier this year, shedding light on irregularities surrounding Interblock Roulette.

This particular version of the game requires the dealer to manually spin the ball in the opposite direction of the wheel. However, when this crucial step is omitted, the sensors fail to register the wheel’s rotation.

Consequently, players can continue to place bets even after the ball has settled on a number, exploiting the loophole to their advantage.

Approximately a year ago, a Rivers Casino visitor, opting for anonymity, began to observe several glitches with the system. Among those he reported were inaccuracies in the digital number display and occasional delays.

State police disclosed that surveillance footage captured instances where Schnepp allegedly mishandled the roulette ball, coinciding with a man and a woman ramping up their wagers after the ball had settled. Laush would then step in to validate the spin, leading to both players pocketing over $2,000 each in ill-gotten gains.

Michael Walker, a regular visitor to the casino, told local media that there are both competent and incompetent workers at the establishment. Walker expressed relief that the individuals involved were apprehended and suggested enhancing security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In addition to his involvement in the cheating scheme, Laush faces allegations of loading illegitimate comps onto the male player’s account. Whether charges will be filed against the players remains uncertain.

A local media outlet, Channel 11, contacted Rivers Casino to request a statement regarding the situation and inquired about the employment status of Schnepp and Laush. A spokesperson replied, affirming their full cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Police during the investigation.

According to the investigation, the casino suffered losses exceeding $10,000 due to these occurrences. Schnepp and Laush are slated to appear in court for preliminary hearings on April 2.