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

Scam #32: Barcode Marked Cards with Scanner

How it works

Cards are marked on their edges with invisible barcodes (printed with UV or IR ink). A concealed scanner - hidden in a chip tray, phone case, or other table object - reads these barcodes and instantly identifies each card. The information is relayed to the cheater via smartphone, earpiece, or vibration device. Unlike traditional marked cards that require human reading, barcode systems provide perfect, instant identification of every card. The FBI’s 2025 illegal gambling indictment specifically mentioned “invisibly marked cards” and “electronic poker chip trays” as tools used by the alleged cheating ring.

Where it appears

Poker, all card games

On the record

The 2025 FBI gambling indictment (the “Chauncey Billups” case) alleged that defendants used “invisibly marked cards, electronic poker chip trays, phones that could secretly read cards’ markings, and specially designed glasses and contact lenses.” Professional cheating consultant Sal Piacente stated: “This kind of equipment is being used more than you would think.”

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.