Posted on: October 25, 2023, 03:06h.
Last updated on: October 25, 2023, 03:06h.
A gambler at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has been sentenced to 28 weeks in prison after colluding with two dealers to manipulate roulette games, as reported by CAN.
Daniel Koh Tze Zhou has pleaded guilty to violating Singapore’s Casino Control Act by colluding with dealer Soh Xuan Rong to win S$3,545 (US$2,600) from 192 wheel spins in June 2021.
Soh Xuan Rong has also been sentenced to 28 weeks’ imprisonment.
Collusion to Cheat
The court heard that Koh only bet on the numbers 32, 15, and 19, which were his lucky numbers and were located next to each other on the roulette wheel. Soh noticed this pattern and suggested manipulating the game in a way that favored Koh’s numbers.
While it is impossible for a roulette dealer to consistently land the ball on a single number, with practice, they can increase the likelihood of the ball landing in a specific section of the wheel. This gives the player an advantage and potential winnings over time.
Colluding for the Win
The conspirators hoped to avoid suspicion by having Koh continue to play his usual numbers. Soh proposed pooling their money, but Koh suggested paying Soh $70 for each successful landing on his lucky numbers. Soh agreed and later involved another dealer, Ting Zhi Ping Marcus.
Unraveling the Scheme
The scheme was discovered during a routine check by the surveillance department at Marina Bay Sands. Prosecutors sought a jail term of 30 to 40 weeks for Koh and Soh, labeling Koh as the mastermind. However, Koh’s lawyer, Navin Naidu, argued that Soh was the one who initiated the plan to defraud the casino and manipulated the wheel.
Soh is an employee of the casino. Effectively, a gatekeeper has smashed the gates open,” Naidu said, as reported by CAN. “My client is not an employee of the casino.”
Soh’s lawyer requested a shorter prison term, highlighting Soh’s remorse and full restitution. Ting’s sentencing will take place at a later date.