Casino operators are often targeted by criminals who attempt to cheat or manipulate the games for their advantage. While some try to cheat, others engage in fraudulent activities such as using fake chips to play. Last year, a massive fraudulent scheme was uncovered in Macau with police authorities seizing nearly 1,000 fake chips. During the police operation, it was uncovered that close to 500 counterfeit casino chips were used at Galaxy Macau Casino.

Now, the Judiciary Police in Macau arrested individuals suspected of being involved in similar activities. Last week, law enforcement was notified by a casino in Cotai City that an inspection uncovered counterfeit casino chips. One of the casino dealers at the venue was conducting a routine check of the chips when they found inconsistencies related to 25 chips that appeared in the bead trays of two gaming tables at once.

This is when the casino uncovered that it was defrauded by a group of individuals who used fake chips. The casino, whose name was not released by the Judiciary Police, found out that the culprits transformed HK$100 ($13) chips into HK$10,000 ($1,300) chips. At least 33 counterfeit casino chips were discovered at the aforementioned casino, causing an estimated loss of HK$1.62 million ($200,000).

Police Arrests Suspects, Continues Investigations

It wasn’t long before suspects were detained in relation to the fraudulent activity. According to the Judiciary Police, four individuals allegedly involved in the activity were detained by the casino’s security guards. Still, the casino identified that more people were involved and notified law enforcement.

Another suspect, believed to be involved in the fraudulent activity was successfully tracked down and detained by the police. All of the detainees are mainland China residents. The five people who were arrested claimed that they acted upon directions given by a higher-ranking member of the criminal group.

Besides the five people arrested, police uncovered that more individuals involved in the fraudulent activity were at large. As a result, three other individuals, labeled as key members of the criminal group, were detained in mainland China through cooperation between the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department and the Zhuhai Criminal Police Detachment.

Overall, eight people allegedly involved in the criminal activity were arrested. Law enforcement confirmed the investigation into the case continues.

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To ensure that specific individuals cannot access casinos across Nevada, the state has created a “black book,” or otherwise a list of patrons who are permanently banned from visiting any of the casinos in the state. Different people can land on that list, but they do need to meet certain criteria such as receiving a ban from court or having a felony conviction.

Following a meeting of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), the list of banned individuals may increase with the addition of a person who was convicted of stealing chips several years ago. The person, identified as Neal Ahmed Hearne, may become the 37th individual who will be permanently banned from all casinos across Nevada after his nomination to the black book, as announced by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

John Michela, Senior Deputy Attorney General, spoke in front of the NGCB during the meeting that took place Wednesday. He showed video evidence of Hearne where the person is seen grabbing chips from a table and running away. In a separate video, also presented in front of the gambling regulator, Hearne can be seen grabbing chips from a table as one customer temporarily left their seat. He then flees the area on foot.

According to Michela, the two presented cases aren’t the only ones for Hearne, who was eventually arrested for his crimes and subsequently sentenced in January 2018. The Senior Deputy Attorney General explained that Hearne engaged in the same unsophisticated crime that involved him taking chips from tables in more than a dozen casinos across Clark County. In light of this, Michela said that the person needs to be added to the state’s black book, effectively banning him from visiting any casino across Nevada.

One Step Away from Joining the State’s Black Book

Kirk Hendrick, NGCB’s chairman, was shocked to see the actions of Hearne on video. “Sometimes reading the documents is one thing, but seeing it actually happen,” he pointed out. Additionally, Hendrick explained: “It’s clearly obvious that Mr. Hearne’s criminal actions are not only brazen — that he would do this right in the middle of a casino floor — but his criminal activities are prolific.”

It didn’t take long to convince NGCB about Hearne’s recommendation to be added to the black book, especially considering his felony conviction, something that is a part of the criteria to be added to the list. As a result, the NGCB voted unanimously, nominating Hearne to be permanently banned from all casinos in the state.

With the nomination in place, the person will now be given a chance to defend himself. After the formal nomination, the Nevada Gaming Commission will have to officially decide whether or not to add Hearne to the list and that will happen after an organized hearing where he will be invited to attend.

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The Royal Caribbean Group, which is the parent company of the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises companies, has been tinkering with the idea of merging its operations under the same loyalty program.

Blue Chip Club Earning Period Extended, But Why?

As things stand, Royal Caribbean Cruises allows customers to participate in its signature Club Royale rewards program but hop over to Celebrity Cruises and you will be rolled into Blue Chip Club.

This means opportunity lost for consumers who have been otherwise very happy with the experience they receive on both cruises, including onboard casinos featuring slot and table games, as well as smoke-free areas.

The extension of the Blue Chip Club program could signal an early decision by the parent group to heed the call of its customers and indeed advance with a decision to merge the two loyalty programs, or at least connect them so consumers can benefit freely jumping from one cruise to the next.

Royal Caribbean has already announced that it will be extending and developing its casinos, seeing them as an important part of the overall experience, and a good hook to attract new customers, reactivate dormant ones, and generally continue to be a good entertainment option.

Some of the major updates have been an expansion of the existing square footage of gaming floors, but also the addition of progressive jackpots which have become a hit with players who seem to be tempted by the prospect of escaping on a cruise where they can try their hand at a progressive jackpot.

The Time for a Loyalty Program Merge May Finally Be Here

It’s not just that though as rewards programs have become very important in light of this heightened interest in the group’s cruises, and merging the two would be a smart business decision, even if on the face of it, the two brands want to maintain their relevant autonomy and independence.

Their internal competition is not likely to hurt either party, though, as consumers would just be able to use their loyalty points freely, nurturing even stronger brand loyalty, and driving attention to the growing segment of on-site casino gaming.

Although speculation at the present moment, expanding the Blue Chip Club earning period could be a way to carry over the points into a merged program moving forward, which would boost brand loyalty

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