Dealer, Player Convicted in Encore Boston Harbor Baccarat Cheating Scheme

Two men, involved in a cheating scheme at Encore Boston Harbor Casino received sentences on Friday, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) revealed.

An Investigation Led to the Sentencing of Two Men Involved in Cheating

The cheating scheme case was handled by the AGO’s Gaming Enforcement Division assistant attorneys Joseph Posner and Brian Pearly. The sentencing follows an investigation led by the Massachusetts State Police’s Gaming Enforcement Unit in collaboration with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Massachusetts State Police and the AGO’s Gaming Enforcement Division.

Encore Boston Harbor also helped in the uncovering of the scheme that saw a baccarat dealer identified with the initials J.L. and a baccarat player with the initials J.N.Z., receive sentences for their actions. Each of the men was found guilty of two counts of cheating and swindling more than $1,000 along with one count each for larceny over $1,200. The charges are the direct result of the scheme the two men were involved in which resulted in losses of approximately $15,000 for the casino.

During sentencing, the court gave J.L. a 364-day house of correction sentence, suspended for two years. On the other hand, the second man involved in the cheating scheme received a 364-day split sentence, with six months to serve, also suspended for two years.

The Dealer Memorized the Cards Before Dealing Them

The scheme the two men were involved in dates back to October and November in 2019. At the time, J.L., who used to work as a baccarat dealer at Encore Boston Harbor’s high limit section, collaborated with J.N.Z. to conduct the cheating scheme.

The scheme wasn’t elaborate at all as it involved the dealer checking the cards before dealing them. Memorizing the sequence, he tipped off the player on the cards that were coming. As noted, the scheme was conducted on two occasions and resulted in the baccarat player collecting approximately $15,000.

Cheating is a punishable criminal offense in Massachusetts. It’s important to note that the penalty depends on the sum that is won through cheating. In severe cases where more than $75,000 is involved, a person found guilty of cheating may serve up to 10 years in prison, serve in a house of correction, receive a hefty fine or serve time behind bars and receive a fine. When it comes to more insignificant sums, the penalty may be more lenient.