While casinos can be a fun and exciting place to visit, unfortunately, they can also attract fraudsters looking to scam unsuspecting players. It’s important to be aware of common casino scams and take steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim. Here are 10 casino scams to watch out for:
- Card swapping – This scam involves a dealer swapping out a player’s high-value card with a lower one, giving the house an advantage.
- Fake chips – Some scammers create counterfeit chips and try to cash them out, often by teaming up with other players to exchange them for cash.
- The distraction scam – Scammers will work in teams, with one person distracting a player while another steals their chips or cash.
- Shills – Some casinos hire shills to play at their tables, pretending to be regular players and luring others to join in the game.
- Cheating devices – Some players use hidden cameras or devices to cheat, such as marking cards or controlling the outcome of the game.
- Rogue employees – In rare cases, casino employees may be involved in scams, such as rigging games or stealing from players.
- Phishing scams – Scammers may send fake emails or texts, posing as a casino, in order to trick players into giving away their personal information or credit card details.
- Scanning devices – Some scammers use scanning devices to read players’ cards or chips, allowing them to steal their information.
- Parking lot scams – Thieves may target casino parking lots, breaking into cars and stealing players’ winnings or personal belongings.
- The big winner scam – Scammers may pose as big winners and offer to sell their winning tickets or chips to unsuspecting players, only to disappear with the money.
To protect yourself from these scams, it’s important to be vigilant and keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. Always keep your personal belongings close and be wary of strangers who try to engage you in conversation or distract you. And if you do become the victim of a scam, report it to casino security or the police right away.
