A group of four individuals from Illinois is facing charges in connection with a sophisticated baccarat scam that reportedly swindled the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino out of a staggering $300,000. The alleged scheme, involving six individuals in total, unfolded in the early hours of March 13, culminating in the detention of the four accused parties.

Illinois Group Employed Strategic Card Placement and Cellphone Tracking

According to court documents, Zu Lin, Yuhan Hu, Liping Zhou, and Zhencan Chen, all residents of Illinois, were apprehended by authorities following the departure of two other members of their group, Fuxiang Liu, and alleged ringleader Qingyong Zhang, reported local media outlet Lehigh Valley Live. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. at the Wind Creek Gaming Office.

Police reports suggest that the scam commenced shortly before 4 a.m. as the six individuals congregated at a reserved baccarat table on the casino floor. Qingyong Zhang, the purported mastermind, employed various techniques, including strategic card positioning and covert cell phone use, to track the order of cards as the deck was shuffled.

Subsequently, Zhang and Hu temporarily left the gaming area, reconvening at Hu’s hotel room before returning to the table to resume play. At approximately 5:10 a.m., Zhang allegedly signaled for the group to escalate their betting activity, prompting a series of lucrative wins over the ensuing half-hour.

Following their successful stint at the baccarat table, the group dispersed, with Zhang and Liu exiting the premises while the remaining four members engaged in other games within the casino. During interrogation, Hu disclosed that Zhang had compensated him with $5,000 for his participation, with all proceeds from the operation reportedly funneled to Zhang himself.

The Four Members of the Gourp Face Felony Charges

Further investigation revealed prior involvement in similar illicit gambling activities by Hu and Zhou in Illinois and Missouri, respectively. Consequently, the four apprehended individuals are facing felony charges of participation in a corrupt organization. While Lin, Hu, and Chen managed to post bail set at $100,000, Zhou remains in custody at Northampton County Prison.

Notably, the accused individuals, aged between 28 and 51, all hail from Chicago, with Lin being the exception, originating from Mount Vernon, Illinois. Legal representatives for the defendants have yet to provide comment on the matter, leaving lingering questions surrounding the intricate web of deception orchestrated within the confines of the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino.

Baccarat is seemingly a coveted mark for scammers. Recently authorities in Pennsylvania have been actively searching for Jianchu Liu, a 47-year-old Chinese national suspected of involvement in a professional cheating ring targeting baccarat games at casinos across the United States, including Mohegan Pennsylvania. 

Liu’s alleged sophisticated cheating method involved recording card sequences with his cellphone, prompting casino surveillance to identify him. Despite a warrant for his arrest on fraud-related charges, Liu remains at large, and authorities are seeking public assistance in locating him. This incident adds to a series of recent baccarat-related cheating scandals, including accusations against a Mohegan Sun dealer in January.

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Authorities in Pennsylvania are on the hunt for a suspected baccarat cheater after an attempted scam at the Mohegan Pennsylvania casino in Wilkes-Barre. The individual in question, Jianchu Liu, a 47-year-old Chinese national, is believed to be part of a professional cheating ring known to have targeted various casinos across the United States.

Liu’s alleged modus operandi involved attempting to surreptitiously record the sequence of cards in the baccarat deck using a camera app on his cellphone. However, his actions did not go unnoticed, as the casino’s surveillance cameras caught him in the act, reported The Citizen’s Voice.

According to state police reports, Liu was identified through his casino rewards card. Investigators suspect that he is affiliated with a group of cheats known for employing sophisticated techniques to gain an advantage at the baccarat table. This group has previously operated at casinos such as the Golden Nugget and the Imperial Palace in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The cheating method employed by Liu and his associates typically involves the use of a cut card to momentarily expose the order of the cards in the deck. This information is then relayed to the cheater, allowing them to make strategic bets with an unfair advantage.

Baccarat Cheater Evades Arrest, Authorities Seek Public Assistance

During the incidents at Mohegan Pennsylvania, Liu’s actions aroused suspicion among casino security personnel. On one occasion, he was observed manipulating the dealer’s hands in an attempt to influence how the cards were handled, leading to a confrontation between Liu and the dealer.

Following a thorough investigation, state police obtained a warrant for Liu’s arrest on two misdemeanor charges related to fraud and trickery. Despite the warrant, Liu has not yet been apprehended or arraigned.

Baccarat is a popular card game where players aim to bet on the hand with the highest value, which is nine. However, Liu’s alleged cheating attempts disrupted the fair play of the game, prompting authorities to take swift action.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Jianchu Liu’s whereabouts to come forward. This is not the first time baccarat has been the subject of cheating. In January, a Mohegan Sun baccarat dealer, Yu Wen Fu, was accused of rigging games by arranging cards in a specific order, resulting in significant losses for the casino. Despite facing charges of larceny, Fu maintained his innocence, claiming accidental card exposure during shuffling.

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The recent surge in baccarat volume has economists and industry experts buzzing with optimism about the future of high-end properties along the famed Las Vegas Strip. 

High-Stakes Baccarat Fuels Record Revenue for Las Vegas Strip

According to insights provided by Wall Street analyst John DeCree, the Las Vegas Strip witnessed an unprecedented $905 million in gaming revenue in December alone, marking an 11.2% increase from the same period last year. 

Baccarat, renowned for its popularity among high rollers and international visitors, played a significant role in achieving this milestone. The baccarat win soared to $218.7 million, representing a staggering 50.1% increase compared to previous figures. 

Additionally, baccarat volume reached $839.5 million, the highest post-pandemic level, indicating a robust resurgence in high-stakes gaming.

DeCree emphasized that the notable performance of baccarat in November, coinciding with the inaugural Formula One race in Las Vegas, further solidifies the positive trend for upscale properties. 

DeCree stated that the table win had been buoyed by a strong baccarat win and emphasized that the positive trends in baccarat for both months served as indicators of optimism for higher-end properties on the Las Vegas Strip.

Record Slot Wins and Local Market Surge Propel Las Vegas to Success

The momentum extended beyond baccarat, with slot win on the Las Vegas Strip hitting an all-time high of $446 million, marking a 10.1% year-over-year increase. Notably, despite a slight decrease in hold, the handle reached a remarkable $6.2 billion, setting a new precedent for the region. 

Table win also experienced significant growth, increasing by 12.3% year over year, supported by a 5.5% rise in table drop.

In addition to the Strip’s success, the local market saw a boost in gaming revenue, largely attributed to the recent opening of the Durango Casino & Resort in southwest Las Vegas. 

DeCree noted a 6.5% year-over-year increase in December gaming revenue for local casinos, with the Durango property playing a pivotal role in driving these figures.

The positive performance was not confined to gaming revenue alone. Visitation to Las Vegas saw a 2.7% increase year over year in December, culminating in an annual total of 40.8 million visitors, surpassing the previous year’s figures. Furthermore, average daily room rates on the Las Vegas Strip experienced a notable uptick, rising by 5.8% year over year in December and 12.3% for the entire year.

While the data signals a promising trajectory for the region, DeCree urged caution against drawing definitive conclusions from a single month’s figures. Nevertheless, the overarching sentiment remains optimistic, with analysts eagerly anticipating continued growth and prosperity for Las Vegas’s renowned hospitality and gaming industry.

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A baccarat dealer at Mohegan Sun, Yu Wen Fu, 64, faces charges of manipulating games, resulting in a $124,000 loss for the casino.

Dealer Accused of Prearranging Cards, Resulting in Massive Casino Losses

Tribal police discovered Fu’s alleged malpractice on April 21, 2023, after a pit manager observed him handling cards suspiciously. Surveillance cameras captured Fu setting up the deck before a specific player, Haoen Jiang, approached, reported Connecticut media outlet The Day.

Rather than adhering to the standard procedure of washing cards on the table, Fu arranged them in a specific order, allowing him to deal with prearranged cards when Jiang played. Police investigation revealed a pattern of collusion between Fu and Jiang, with the casino’s losses totaling $124,260 between March 29 and April 20, 2023.

In the game of baccarat, where players bet on the outcome of the dealer or player’s hand reaching closest to nine, Fu allegedly signaled the appearance of the nine by strategically placing face cards in the deck. Surveillance footage tracked the chips paid out on each hand, determining the extent of the winnings.

Upon questioning, Jiang denied collaboration with Fu but had Fu’s cell phone number on his device. Jiang claimed their last conversation was about concert tickets and was subsequently ejected from the casino, facing no charges.

Baccarat Dealer Maintains Innocence Amidst Larceny Charges

Fu, suspended pending investigation, maintained his innocence, asserting that cards accidentally turned face up during the wash, and he merely fixed them without rearranging them for personal gain. 

Arrested on November 15, Fu faces charges of first-degree larceny, second-degree larceny (four counts), and third-degree larceny. Released on a $25,000 bond, Fu was arraigned in New London’s Part A court on January 8 for serious crimes.

In other news, a fortunate visitor at Mohegan Sun, identified as Jose S. from Stafford, Connecticut, recently struck gold with a remarkable $525,094 jackpot while playing Super 4 Progressive Blackjack. 

The casino, known for its extensive gaming options, houses the exclusive game in its Casino of the Earth, offering an array of table games, slot machines, and additional entertainment amenities across its spacious 180,000-square-foot facility along the Thames River in Southeastern Connecticut. 

Mohegan Sun, with over 1,600 luxury hotel rooms and various entertainment venues, continues to attract visitors seeking both gaming excitement and diverse leisure experiences.

Mohegan Sun’s advantageous location makes it an ideal destination for visitors from neighboring states. The entertainment and casino resort is conveniently situated near various attractions, including antique shops and museums, providing guests with diverse and interesting options to explore.

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Gaming Corps now has even more experiences to provide to players and offer partners fresh angles to their iGaming portfolios. The launch of Baccarat by the Swedish developer is based on a very straightforward concept without any additional perks.

New Product Joins Gaming Corps’ Offer

The game follows the basic layout of the classic version which features a Player and Banker Bets, which are the two possible options to bet on. Baccarat is all about guessing which of the two types of bets will yield better results.

There is no obligation to bet on the Player Bet just because you are a “player.” Rather, you pick one of the two based on who you think would get a better hand. Gaming Corps has been launching a number of successful games over the past weeks and months with Baccarat crowing the list now. Commenting on this fresh release, company COO Alex Lorimer said:

The game launches keep coming at Gaming Corps, and I’d like to thank our team for producing a game which passionate traditional casino games players are sure to love.

Gaming Corps COO Alex Lorimer

The company itself goes well beyond baccarat or table games. There are other verticals such as crash and mine, as well as slot games. The idea of each design added to the Gaming Corps’ portfolio, argues Lorimer, is to add a new experience and opportunity for players.

Gaming Corps has created a number of outstanding titles over the past months, including Jokers Stick and Spin, Luke E. Chance, Book of Luck, Coin Miner 2, Raging Zeus Mines, and frankly, so many others.

Ensuring Brand Growth Through Geographical Reach

Gaming Corps has been moving quickly in iGaming space over the past several months as well. The company managed to secure a B2B license, as part of the country’s re-regulation of the licensure regime which is due to take effect in July.

Meantime, the company has also doubled down on making sure that its content is available to bigger audiences. To this end, the company teamed up with QTech Games, an aggregator with a particular focus on emerging markets in Asia. Not least, Gaming Corps partnered with Coolbet for a single-operator content injection.

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The new game, set in the Baccarat vertical, carries the apt name “Mega Baccarat” and it offers an innovative twist to the classic Live Casino experience, the company explains.

Mega Baccarat Adds Variety to the Popular Vertical

Mega Baccarat introduces a fast pace of play that is set as a gameshow and gives players the opportunity to boost their winnings significantly as part of the Mega Round. To enter this round, the players would need to roll dice and hit eight or nine to trigger the bonus level.

During Mega Round, mega Multipliers will be displayed on top of the regular betting payouts, which can give players a chance to significantly increase their winnings from playing the game. A winning bet may return up to 1,000x, offering players an excellent opportunity to add to their winnings in a spectacular way.

The product is part of Pragmatic Play’s constantly improving and growing portfolio of casino games. Pragmatic Play COO Irina Cornides welcomed the addition of the new product and said that it’s an exciting way to innovate the Baccarat game genre and add to the Live Casino portfolio that Pragmatic has been investing in heavily over the past years. Cornides had this to add:

At Pragmatic Play, we’re constantly expanding our Live Casino range with new premium tables, immersive gameshows, and classic titles with a twist.

Pragmatic Play COO Irina Cornides

Pragmatic Play has been focusing on growing its content portfolio over the past months, along with the increase of its local presence in specific geolocations. The company has been pushing heavily in the Latin American region where it has been able to work out some important partnerships with local operators.

Latin America Is an Important Focus of Pragmatic’s Efforts

Pragmatic recently expanded with Vem Betar in the regulated market in Colombia, marking yet another market entry for the supplier, and a broader expansion in the Latin American region. Another prominent partnership in the region was signed with Land Vegas, the first casino based in the Metaverse in the region.

Pragmatic Play is excited to be a part of the rapidly-shifting landscape in the Latin American market, something that is a priority for the supplier these days. Mega Baccarat is only going to add to the variety of live casino games.

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The innovative games provider for the iGaming vertical, ESA Gaming, announced the launch of its newest title a part of its EasySwipe portfolio, Baccarat. This is the thirteenth game a part of EasySwipe.

The new game marks the company’s third casino table game, resonating well with Blackjack and European Roulette, which were previously released. Besides the launch of Baccarat, ESA Gaming confirmed that more classic casino table games are due to be released soon.

ESA Gaming’s head of marketing, Thomas Smallwood, acknowledged that the release of Baccarat marks only the first game from the planned rollout in 2023. Moreover, he predicted that the new card game will be well-received by customers online.

“Our 2023 content rollout is well underway with the release of our newest EasySwipe title, Baccarat, a classic casino card game which looks set to be a huge hit.“

Thomas Smallwood, head of marketing at ESA Gaming

At the same time, ESA Gaming’s head of marketing acknowledged that the new game expands further the company’s offering which further boosts fan engagement not only for its partners but customers as well. Finally, Smallwood acknowledged that the company continues to build up its portfolio and the latest title contributes to the variety.

Baccarat Delivers Engaging Experiences

Inspired by the classic card game, ESA Gaming’s Baccarat title offers an RTP of 98%. According to the title’s developer, the game is played between two hands, the banker and the player. There are a total of three outcomes: win by the banker, player or a tie.

ESA Gaming’s Baccarat game is quite appealing, considering that it is a high-volatility title. What’s more, the game offers players a chance to win a prize of up to 25x, further taking the experience to a new level. The immersive title offers the online players a casino setting that enables them to “swipe in and out in open sessions,” explained ESA Gaming.

The release of the new title comes after early last month, the company hired the services of Josefin Uppeke. Joining ESA Gaming, Uppeke was named as the company’s new head of game production. In her new role, she is expected to play a pivotal role amid the ongoing growth and development of ESA Gaming and its products.

Before that, the company expanded further the reach of its product via a deal with betBonanza, a Nigerian operator. This collaboration helped ESA Gaming’s content reach new customers, while at the same time expanding the offering of the Nigerian operator.

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