Legal implications of cheating at casinos

Casino cheating

Casino cheating refers to any type of action which is against the rules of the casino. Players all over the world have been cheating at casino games using different types of methods for ages. The casino cheating methods vary and have developed for a long time.

Methods of cheating

While many players use simple unskilled methods of cheating, several others use very complicated methods for cheating which are very difficult to detect even for trained pit bosses and dealers. Players sometimes use luminous marked cards which can only be seen with tinted glasses or with specially made contact lenses. In such cases it becomes very difficult for anyone to see these marks on the cards with naked eyes.

Casinos` protection

However, the casinos have become more aware of the different methods of cheating. Casinos now have stricter rules and employ various methods to be able to catch cheating players. Most casinos today have surveillance cameras and some even use high tech software and gadgets for spotting suspicious characters.

Cheating at casinos is considered to be illegal. However, the exact nature of the punishment given to the player who is caught will depend on the jurisdiction of the place where the casino is located. In Nevada for example, cheating is considered to be a felony charge in the state and the player who is caught cheating would receive a strict punishment and a few years in prison. In other states the jurisdictions do have rules and laws when it comes to casino cheating, but they are not as strict as they are in Nevada. The players in such cases are dealt with the correct authorities and the punishment and the charges are stated according the law of a particular state.

Advantage techniques

However, there are several different techniques that players use which would give them an advantage over the other players but they would still not be illegal. These techniques are known as advantage play since they provide an edge to the player who uses them. The most famous example of an advantage technique is card counting in blackjack. In card counting the player can use the technique to know his odds at winning that particular hand which he/she can use to decide how much to bet on.

Card counting, along with other types of advantage techniques are not considered to be illegal. However, casinos do not take lightly to such techniques. In Nevada especially, since the casinos are located on a private property, the casinos do have a right to ban card counting players from playing even though it is not illegal. In other states however, casinos cannot ban card counters.

However, using electronic aids for card counting or for any other cheating method is illegal.