Gambling | Casino Stung For £2 Million
Macau Casino Stung For £2 Million
A well known Asian Casino scammer known as Wong has hit the Macau Casino For £2m in a bacarrat scam where he swapped cards with accomplices, without raising the suspicions of apparent novice bacarrat dealers.
The Guardian reports the bacarrat sting, one of the biggest in Macau's history, took place last week but was only discovered on Tuesday, when casino managers checked footage from surveillance cameras.
The Guardian said given Wong's reputation, it was a surprise that he was even allowed in to the Sands.
According to the South China Morning Post the Hong Kong man had been barred by several gambling establishments in Macau and refused permission to board floating casinos off of Singapore.
The owner of the Las Vegas Sands Hotel and Casino Sheldon Adelson a Las Vegas mogul, is a relative newcomer to the former Portuguese enclave, where 70% of tax revenues come from gambling. He was the first rival to break the 50-year monopoly of the local tycoon Stanley Ho.
Sackings have followed the bacarrat sting. At least one executive has been fired over this highly embarrassing incident.
Wong's fate is as yet unclear. Police refused to confirm reports that he had been released on bail due to a lack of evidence against him.
He appears to have cashed in most of his chips. According to the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, the casino, had time to block the last of his winner's cheques - worth HK$5m. Wong is said to have complained vociferously when the bank refused to pay out.
Gamblog Comment :: While I go on about how bad casinos treat players, this is an excellent example of the boot can fit squarely on the other foot. £2 Million is a lot of money indeed. Gladly Sheldon Adelson can afford it without going under.
