Rivers Casino Blackjack Dealer Charged After Running Scam at the Tables
A Rivers Casino employee has been charged by Pennsylvania State Police with running a fraudulent blackjack operation over several days. She allegedly dealt nearly 200 compromised hands, all of which were caught under surveillance.
A blackjack table on a Rivers Casino gaming floor. (Source: Rivers Casino)
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The accused, Jamie L. Smith, a 33-year-old resident of the Brighton Heights neighborhood in Pittsburgh, was under surveillance by law enforcement and gaming enforcement agents who observed the irregularities in her dealing practices. According to a sworn affidavit, Smith was seen intentionally overpaying players on both winning and losing hands, neglecting to collect money from losing bets, and removing chips from the casino's "float," the chip rack, over multiple days between October 26 and November 2.
Related: Ex-MGM Blackjack Dealer Indicted for Alleged $43K TheftThe incidents reportedly took place on October 26, 28, and 30, and again on November 2. Surveillance footage documented Smith conducting a total of 192 fraudulent hands, resulting in an alleged loss of $21,869 for Rivers Casino.
Court records indicate that Smith's actions became more frequent, with the number of fraudulent hands increasing steadily each day. The affidavit details a progressive escalation in the number of suspicious hands observed, starting with seven hands on October 26 and peaking at 71 hands on November 2. The gradual increase in compromised hands has led investigators to believe there may have been a deliberate plan to increase the losses over time.
Following her charges, Smith was released on an unsecured bond, meaning she was not required to pay bail to remain out of custody until her court appearance. A preliminary hearing is set for November 20 in Pittsburgh Municipal Court, where the evidence, including surveillance footage, will likely be reviewed, and further legal proceedings determined.
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Lengthy Prison Sentence Possible
Smith now faces several charges, including theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy, and knowingly manipulating a game of chance. Pennsylvania law outlines clear consequences for such offenses, which are treated with gravity due to the impact on the state's gaming industry.
Theft by unlawful taking in Pennsylvania can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount stolen. For amounts exceeding $2,000, it is generally considered a third-degree felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison and fines up to $15,000. Given the alleged loss of $21,869, Smith's charge likely falls under this category.
The charge of conspiracy to commit theft or game manipulation adds further weight to the case. In Pennsylvania, conspiracy charges accompany the penalties of the underlying crime, meaning that if convicted, Smith could face similar penalties as for the primary offense.
If the conspiracy charge is also considered a third-degree felony, this could result in an additional seven-year sentence and associated fines. Conspiracy charges reflect the state's stance on collaborative criminal activities, especially in a regulated industry like gaming, where unlawful dealings undermine public trust and economic integrity.
Game manipulation, or tampering with a game of chance, is another significant charge facing Smith. Pennsylvania classifies manipulation of licensed casino games as a severe offense, with penalties similar to those for theft and conspiracy in gaming-related crimes.
As casino games operate under strict regulatory oversight, tampering with these games damages the integrity of the gaming environment and can lead to revocation of casino licenses if left unchecked. For individuals, a conviction for game manipulation could carry additional prison time and fines.
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