Casinos are places where many try their luck, but some take it a step further, attempting to beat the system. Throughout gambling history, numerous schemes have been devised, yet most ended in failure. Let’s dive into some of the most notorious cases!
Lasers vs. Roulette 🛠
In the 1970s, a group of engineers developed a laser-based device to analyze the speed of the roulette ball and wheel, helping them predict the winning sector. Their plan actually worked—they managed to win hundreds of thousands of dollars. But not for long. When casinos noticed unusual betting patterns, the players were quickly escorted out and blacklisted.
Fake Tokens for Slot Machines 🎰
One of the most infamous casino scammers, Tommy Carmichael, invented a device that tricked old slot machines into paying out jackpots. For a long time, he remained undetected, but technology caught up with him. Once casinos upgraded their machines, Carmichael was eventually caught and sentenced to prison.
Marked Cards in Blackjack 🃏
Some players attempted to modify cards to gain an edge at the blackjack table. One scammer, for example, used special ink that was only visible under ultraviolet light through custom-made glasses. At first, it worked, but casino surveillance cameras quickly picked up on his unusual behavior, leading to his downfall.
Slot Machine Hacking via Smartphone 📱
In 2017, a group of scammers used sophisticated technology to manipulate modern slot machines. They recorded gameplay on their smartphones, and an app analyzed the slot’s patterns to predict when it was most likely to pay out. Once the right moment came, they placed a bet and won big. However, casinos quickly caught on and enhanced their security algorithms. The scammers were soon arrested.
The MIT Blackjack Team & Card Counting 🏫
One of the most legendary casino schemes involved a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students. They mastered advanced card-counting techniques in blackjack and won millions of dollars across casinos worldwide. However, their success didn’t stay secret for long. Major casinos identified and blacklisted them, making it impossible for them to play in top establishments.
In the 1970s, a group of engineers developed a laser-based device to analyze the speed of the roulette ball and wheel, helping them predict the winning sector. Their plan actually worked—they managed to win hundreds of thousands of dollars. But not for long. When casinos noticed unusual betting patterns, the players were quickly escorted out and blacklisted.
Fake Tokens for Slot Machines 🎰
One of the most infamous casino scammers, Tommy Carmichael, invented a device that tricked old slot machines into paying out jackpots. For a long time, he remained undetected, but technology caught up with him. Once casinos upgraded their machines, Carmichael was eventually caught and sentenced to prison.
Marked Cards in Blackjack 🃏
Some players attempted to modify cards to gain an edge at the blackjack table. One scammer, for example, used special ink that was only visible under ultraviolet light through custom-made glasses. At first, it worked, but casino surveillance cameras quickly picked up on his unusual behavior, leading to his downfall.
Slot Machine Hacking via Smartphone 📱
In 2017, a group of scammers used sophisticated technology to manipulate modern slot machines. They recorded gameplay on their smartphones, and an app analyzed the slot’s patterns to predict when it was most likely to pay out. Once the right moment came, they placed a bet and won big. However, casinos quickly caught on and enhanced their security algorithms. The scammers were soon arrested.
The MIT Blackjack Team & Card Counting 🏫
One of the most legendary casino schemes involved a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students. They mastered advanced card-counting techniques in blackjack and won millions of dollars across casinos worldwide. However, their success didn’t stay secret for long. Major casinos identified and blacklisted them, making it impossible for them to play in top establishments.