Part IV: Financial Fraud · Internal Collusion & Employee Fraud

Scam #21: Surveillance Officer Collusion with Cheaters

How it works

A surveillance officer uses their position and access to camera feeds to provide inside information to cheaters. This is one of the most dangerous forms of insider fraud because the surveillance department is supposed to be the ultimate safeguard. Methods include: relaying hole card information to players via electronic communication; directing cameras away from cheating activity; deleting or not recording footage of cheating; ignoring suspicious activity by accomplices; and providing intelligence on casino security procedures. In one documented case, a surveillance officer collaborated with a dealer and player to cheat at blackjack, using cameras to relay hole card information that allowed the team to make perfect decisions. They defrauded the casino of hundreds of thousands of dollars over several months.

Where it appears

All gaming areas (surveillance has access to entire property)

On the record

Documented cases exist of surveillance officers facilitating cheating. In 2013, Crown Casino in Melbourne lost $32 million AUD when a foreign high-roller’s crew compromised the casino’s HD camera system. A casino staffer assigned to the player was fired for providing remote access to the surveillance system. The cheater used camera feeds to see other players’ cards in a high-stakes poker game.

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.