Casino Crime Roundup: Blackjack Dealer, Players Arrested in $16K Scheme

Posted on: July 18, 2024, 12:26h. 

Last updated on: July 18, 2024, 01:54h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A blackjack dealer and two players at Pennsylvania’s Hollywood Casino were charged after they allegedly participated in a fraudulent plot on the gaming floor over the weekend.

An Ace and Jack on the table
An Ace and Jack on the table during a blackjack game, pictured above. A Pennsylvania casino blackjack scheme led to three arrests. (Image: Rivers Casino)

The trio stole about $16K in the scheme. The dealer was identified as Yadav Bhandari, 22 while the players were named as Shankar Karki, 37, and Prakash Thapa, 24. The three conspired in the game between Saturday and early Sunday, according to Pennsylvania TV station WHTM.

Pennsylvania State Police said the trio used sleight of hand, capping, and illicit card payouts/dealing, according to the news report.

After viewing surveillance video, state troopers revealed that $16,555 was paid improperly to Karki and Thrpa.

The cases were turned over to local prosecutors.

Man Drops Bag of Suspected Fentanyl

A man was arrested last week after he allegedly dropped a bag containing 111 suspected fentanyl pills at Idaho’s Clearwater River Casino.

Shortly after the incident, Charlie P. Sherman, 43, of Orofino, Idaho, was apprehended at a Nez Perce Express gas station.

The plastic bag was found by a casino employee at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday on the casino’s gaming floor. The Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office was alerted and a deputy seized the narcotics.

Sherman dropped the bag as he walked near a restroom by a casino entrance, authorities said.

Sherman was booked at the Nez Perce County Jail and appeared in court on Friday where his bail was set at $25K. His next court date is on July 22.

He was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, according to Big Country News. Sherman has yet to enter a plea on the trafficking charge.

The pills in the bag were sent to a lab to be tested. Given the number of pills, the charge relates to trafficking of the illegal drugs rather than just a possession charge.

New State Law

Under a new state law, those convicted on a fentanyl trafficking charge, who had in their possession between 100 and 240 fentanyl pills, face three years in prison and at least $10K in fines.

Idaho House Bill 406 took effect on July 1. It was approved by the Idaho House of Representatives by a 55-13 vote, and by the Idaho Senate by a 29-7 vote.

The measure has stiffer penalties for larger amounts of fentanyl. The state will sentence a guilty defendant to five years in prison and order the payment of at least a $15K fine for between 250-499 fentanyl pills. For 500 or more pills, a guilty defendant will be sentenced to 10 years in prison and be forced to pay at least a $25K fine.