Ohio targets cheating in new casinos

CLEVELAND - State agents are compiling Ohio's first casino cheating cases for potential prosecution, weeks after the facilities opened in Cleveland and Toledo.

Matthew Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, told The Plain Dealer that information is being gathered for prosecutors in Cuyahoga and Lucas counties, home to the two casinos.

Karen Huey, the commission's director of enforcement, said agents monitoring casino floors have seen up to 25 cheating and other gambling-related cases between the two casinos. They had expected scammers to test security measures at the new facilities.

Huey estimated agents have handled about 80 cases, including disorderly conduct and removing compulsive gamblers who voluntarily banned themselves.

First-time offenders of the state's casino law can face felony charges and up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Thirteen state agents, armed and working undercover, are assigned to each casino and have enforcement power on the casino floor.

The agents, assigned to the casinos by the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, thought scam artists would test the new casinos' surveillance and other security measures with techniques such as past posting or placing a bet after action had been completed, the Plain Dealer reported for a story on its website. Cleveland and Toledo casino dealers also could be viewed as vulnerable because most are novices, the newspaper reported.

Cleveland's casino also has private guards and off-duty police officers handling issues like drunken patrons, plus more than 1,000 security cameras, said police Chief Michael McGrath.

Horseshoe Casino Cleveland opened May 14 in a renovated department store. It was developed by Rock Gaming, led by NBA Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, and Caesars Entertainment, which is managing day-to-day operations.

The partnership also is developing a casino in Cincinnati and expects 5 million visitors a year.

The $320 million Hollywood Casino in Toledo opened May 29 by Penn National Gaming Inc. based in Wyomissing, Pa. It's also constructing a casino in Columbus that is expected to open in the fall.

Ohio voters in 2009 approved casino gambling at the four sites with backers promising new jobs and opponents warning about gambling addicts and crime.