Ohio preps 1st casino cheating cases from 2 sites

Inside the finished Horseshoe Casino in downtown Cleveland on May 9, 2012.
Photographer: John Kosich/WEWS
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Posted: 06/22/2012

CLEVELAND (AP) - State agents are compiling Ohio's first casino cheating cases for potential prosecution, weeks after the first two casinos opened in Cleveland and Toledo.

The head of the Ohio Casino Control Commission tells The Plain Dealer in Cleveland information is being gathered for prosecutors in Cuyahoga and Lucas counties.

The commission's director of enforcement, Karen Huey, says agents monitoring casino floors have seen up to 25 cheating and other gaming-related cases between the two casinos. They had expected scammers to test security measures at the new facilities.

Huey estimates agents have handled about 80 total cases, including disorderly conduct and removing compulsive gamblers who voluntarily banned themselves.

First-time offenders of the state's casino law can face felony charges and up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.