Part I: Card Game Cheating · Collusion & Electronic Cheating at Card Games

Scam #28: Hidden Camera Card Reading System

How it works

A cheater conceals a miniature camera on their person (in clothing pockets with holes, on the table disguised as a phone/power bank/hat, or in accessories like watches or jewelry) positioned to capture card faces as they are dealt from the shoe. The camera feed is transmitted to an accomplice outside the game area who can read the cards and relay information back via earpiece or vibration device. In some cases, the camera connects directly to a smartphone with image recognition software. Modern spy cameras can be hidden in pens, lighters, buttons, and glasses.

Where it appears

Poker, blackjack, baccarat, any dealt card game

On the record

In July 2024, two men were arrested at a Paris casino for using modified smartphones with mirrors to capture card faces from the dealer’s shoe while playing blackjack and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. They allegedly won EUR 200,000 in a single night. Police described the earpieces recovered as so small they required magnets for removal.

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.