The legendary Ritz Casino in London is one of the most expensive, famous, and fashionable gambling clubs in the United Kingdom. Looking at its sophisticated interior and reputable visitors, it's hard to believe that such a splendid casino has become a victim of cheaters. However, we must admit that the scam discussed below was pretty advanced.
What Happened at the Ritz Casino?
Three gamblers were suspected of roulette fraud. According to the administration, they used microcomputers to determine winning numbers. The legendary Scotland Yard's best detectives investigated this affair, which they found incredibly complex and confusing.
As the famous professor Mark Griffiths, who specializes in gambling, reported:
Mathematical systems have been used for many years when playing roulette. When advanced technology is involved, the chances of success increase.
Let's find out what happened.
Participants in the Scam
Two males from Serbia and one female from Hungary carried out the fraud. When these events took place in 2004, they were from thirty-two to thirty-eight years old.
In March, they visited the Ritz Casino and played roulette.
- The first visit brought them one hundred thousand pounds.
- The second attempt was even more successful. They managed to win 1,200,000 pounds.
It was said that they received only three hundred thousand in cash, and the remaining amount was promised to be paid out later on receipt.
The suspicious casino managers invited detectives from Scotland Yard. The police arrested the trio in the hotel room, where they also seized a large sum of money and mobile phones. However, in a few days, the suspects were released on bail.
The investigation threw light on the facts.
Details of the Scam
- Laser scanners were implanted in their mobile phones. They were used to register the speed of roulette wheel rotation.
- Moreover, the laser fixed the spinning ball movement speed. It was registered when the ball made two tours.
- The obtained data were transmitted to the computer, which calculated the ball's trajectory and compared it to other parameters.
- The exact number was almost impossible to calculate, but it was possible to determine the sector in which the ball would fall. This information was sufficient to get a significant advantage over the casino.
- The information was sent to the team members, who made the appropriate bets using chips on numbers in the suitable sector of the roulette wheel.
The computer made all the necessary calculations within several seconds, allowing scammers to act quickly and well-orchestrated.
Points of View
It is interesting to note that the opinions of gambling experts on this issue differ significantly. First of all, let's find out the view of Thomas Bass:
I support anyone who uses the mind, intelligence, and physics laws to increase the probability of winning and make money flow into his pockets.
Tom Kavanagh, secretary of the Gaming Board for Great Britain, was skeptical:
Over the years, we have heard a lot about innovative devices. However, I cannot admit that I have come across cases of their successful use.
You can share your thoughts in the comments.
Consequences
Do you think the "trio of Ritz" went to jail? No way! It turned out that their case is regulated by section 17 of the famous Gambling Act 1845, which deals with such cases. According to this document, accusing a customer of fraud for using a computer or phone is impossible.
The participants in this affair interfered with neither the dealer's work nor the normal functioning of the wheel and other equipment. Therefore, their actions could not be considered a crime. Moreover, there was no reason to seize their money.
What can we tell you about the future destiny of unexpectedly famous gamblers? They did not communicate with the media, so it's hard to say what happened to them. It is known that they managed to keep their money and avoid a jail term. They haven't visited the Ritz Casino anymore, but there are a lot of other gambling facilities in the world where they can try to use their skills and devices.
We will update this article if Casinoz finds information about the legendary trio.