Published on: October 10, 2025, 05:40h.
Updated on: October 10, 2025, 05:40h.
- A former VIP host from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland has admitted to theft charges
- The host issued fake rewards cards loaded with free promotional credits to accomplices
A former VIP host at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland, located in Anne Arundel County near Baltimore/Washington International Airport, has admitted guilt in his role in a promotional fraud scheme that cost the casino over $20,000.
In May, Casino.org reported a criminal complaint in Anne Arundel County District Court against Sonejah Richards, 27, from Forestville, and Allen Hill, 26, from Washington, DC, involving felony theft and identity fraud.
According to prosecutors, Richards and Hill established at least 30 fraudulent My Live! Rewards accounts and loaded these counterfeit cards with over $20,000 in free slot play. Charging documents suggest that the two conspired with two additional individuals, who subsequently utilized the cards for gambling at the casino.
Recently, Richards acknowledged his participation and pleaded guilty to two counts of theft involving amounts between $100 and $1,500. His plea deal will spare him from imprisonment, requiring instead two years of supervised probation. Additionally, he is obligated to repay the casino $9,848 by October 7, 2027.
The Baltimore Sun first reported Richards’ plea arrangement.
Financial Impact on the Casino
It remains uncertain if Hill is cooperating with law enforcement regarding the similar allegations against him. There are currently no scheduled hearings or activities recorded for Hill in county court. The two unnamed associates who benefited from the fraudulent slot credits have not faced any charges.
Casinos often reward their loyal customers with complimentary slot credits. Certain states, including Maryland, permit casinos to deduct promotional expenses, or the free credits returned by the casino, from their gross revenue.
The Maryland State Lottery Commission and Gaming Control Agency are considering amendments to regulations that would permit the six video lottery casinos to deduct up to 20% of total promotional play they reclaim from players. As detailed in a proposed change published in the Maryland Register last December, eliminating the promotional credit tax deduction could significantly raise gaming tax revenues.
The state gaming regulator believes that casinos will continue offering similar levels of promotional play regardless of the removal of tax deductions.
The Commission and the Agency are convinced that Video Lottery Facility Licenses will persist in providing non-tax-deductible promotional play as a marketing strategy to attract and retain customers. Even if Video Lottery Facility Licenses continue to provide the same promotional levels or slightly reduce their expenses in this area without completely eliminating them, customers will still have access to promotional offerings from these establishments,” reads the proposed action.
Earlier this year, the state gaming agency sought feedback from operators and the public, but no final decisions have yet been made. The proposed promotional deduction changes would also affect online sportsbooks.
Taxes on Live! Casino Slots
In Maryland, slot revenue at Live! Casino Hotel is taxed at a rate of 51%. Out of this tax revenue, 36% is allocated to the Education Trust Fund, approximately 6% supports horse racing, 5.5% is designated for local impact grants in Anne Arundel County, and 1.5% is assigned to small, minority, and women-owned businesses. The racetrack fund and the state lottery each receive 1%.
Live! Casino retains the remaining 49% of its gross gaming revenue from slots.