In a significant development in California’s gambling industry, two men have been charged with rigging poker games at two Southern California casinos, allegedly cheating and stealing over $30,000. The accused, Vaagn Galustyan, 52, and Armin Martirosyan, 53, face felony charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

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Details of the Alleged Scheme

Prosecutors allege that Galustyan and Martirosyan employed a time-tested cheating method—marking cards—to gain an unfair advantage at poker tables. At the Pala Casino, located at the Pala Indian Reservation northeast of San Diego, the men were reportedly observed on security footage bending the corners of high-value cards and marking others to predict upcoming hands. After playing for several hours, they left without cashing in their chips, only to return hours later, dressed differently, and cashed in $19,250 in winnings.

The following week, the duo allegedly used the same tactics at Harrah’s Casino in Valley Center, winning an additional $13,410. These actions led to the charges, with prosecutors emphasizing the seriousness of physically altering playing cards, which is both a breach of casino rules and a criminal offense in most jurisdictions.

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Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences

Galustyan and Martirosyan were arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on Wednesday. They are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 15. If convicted, they face up to three years and eight months in prison.

District Attorney Summer Stephan remarked, “This method of cheating at cards goes back hundreds of years but with modern technology, the practice can be detected and those who would scam local casinos can be brought to justice.”

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Casino Security Measures

Casinos employ various security measures to detect and prevent cheating, including surveillance cameras, deck inspections, and monitoring for unusual betting patterns. The swift identification and apprehension of Galustyan and Martirosyan underscore the effectiveness of these security protocols in maintaining the integrity of casino operations.

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FAQs

Q1: What specific charges have been filed against Galustyan and Martirosyan?

They have been charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime.

Q2: What is the maximum sentence they could face if convicted?

They could face up to three years and eight months in prison.

Q3: How did the authorities detect the cheating scheme?

Casino security footage captured the men marking cards and employing suspicious betting patterns, leading to their identification and subsequent charges.

Q4: What security measures do casinos use to prevent cheating?

Casinos utilize surveillance cameras, deck inspections, and monitoring for unusual betting patterns to detect and prevent cheating.

Q5: When is the preliminary hearing scheduled?

The preliminary hearing is set for January 15.

Courtesy: LOS ANGELES TIMES