Published on: June 28, 2026, 07:03h.
Updated on: June 28, 2026, 07:03h.
- Officials claim Benward captivated roulette dealers with conversation before contesting chip placements after the winning numbers were revealed.
- Investigators report he altered his appearance between visits to casinos and enlisted accomplices to pressure dealers during contentious bets.
- Already serving a 10-year prison sentence in Iowa, Benward faces allegations of casino fraud and cheating across various US states.
A notorious casino fraudster and magician, known for using misdirection techniques from his performances to cheat roulette tables nationwide, has been extradited to Nevada to face charges of his alleged crimes, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
In February 2026, Shaun Benward, known as “Shaun Mistery,” from Mississippi, received a 10-year prison sentence for conducting a series of fraudulent activities at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood, Iowa, in 2018.
In Nevada, he faces three felony counts of fraudulent activities and three felony counts of conspiracy to violate the Gaming Control Act. He has been banned from 17 casinos in the state, according to the NGCB. Additionally, he was listed in the state’s infamous Black Book, identifying individuals permanently excluded from all casinos, in December 2023.
Unveiling the Deception
While the NGCB refrained from disclosing specific details about his cheating strategies due to ongoing legal proceedings, multiple law enforcement accounts indicate that his methods typically included social manipulation and fostering confusion.
He intentionally diverted dealers’ attention by initiating conversations just as betting concluded, then disputed the placement of his chips once the winning numbers were revealed.
Authorities allege that he sometimes collaborated with an accomplice, who would back his claims of dealer errors and apply additional pressure during disputes regarding contested bets.
To escape detection, investigators believe Benward regularly altered his clothing and appearance between casino visits, allowing him to repeatedly enter venues without being recognized by staff or surveillance teams.
Prosecutors also assert that he structured his payouts to minimize scrutiny, redeeming winnings through multiple cashiers and breaking down larger amounts into smaller transactions to evade federal currency reporting requirements.
The Disappearing Act
For defrauding the Grand Falls Casino of $10,000 in December 2018, Benward was charged with money laundering, cheating at gambling, and conspiracy. He successfully evaded Iowa law enforcement for seven years before authorities apprehended him in Mississippi in April 2025, per reports from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
During that time, he accrued charges in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and Rhode Island, as well as Nevada, related to casino cheating, money laundering, and fraud offenses.
The elusive illusionist soon became one of the highest priorities for the NGCB, according to Kristi Torgerson, chief of the NGCB’s enforcement division, as reported by CDC Gaming.
“The NGCB remains resolute in tracking down offenders, no matter where they may be, to ensure justice is served,” she stated.