A former Las Vegas casino analyst has been handed almost five years in the slammer for a player points scam. InnovateGaming report that MGM Mirage analyst Tony Ahn accessed the customer database in order to carry out the scam that meant he could win money illicitly. Ahn pled guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud, making fraudulent transactions with the access of devices of others, and trafficking, production and use of counterfeit device. Alan Feldman, senior VP of public affairs at MGM, explained the group interacted using social media posts – something that was to be their downfall.
“They were monitoring his activities for several months in conjunction with law enforcement. They pieced this case together very carefully. As people were being questioned, they claimed no knowledge of one another, yet their posts showed otherwise,” Feldman said.
Ahn has also been ordered to pay $863,895 in restitution and will report to federal prison on November 5.
An American tribe dubbed the “richest” in the country made around $1million for each of their 460 members last year. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Tribe generates the cash from a casino built on their Scott County reservation that is around 45 minutes from the twin cities of Minnesota and St Paul. The details of payments came in a New York Times article on a divorce filing, which revealed each adult is paid $84,000 a month. The Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and smaller Little Six Casino generate the tribe almost $1.4 billion a year as they cater to Minnesota’s gamblers. Shakopee people have donated huge amounts of money over the years and provided grants that have, amongst others, paid for part of the University of Minnesota’s new stadium.
Three locations are being touted as possible sites for New York’s next casino. A column in the Albany Insider speculates that a new venue is likely to be built in Coney Island, Willets Point or even the site of the Aqueduct Racetrack. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver favors a “destination resort area” in the outer boroughs, or one that could become one. Groups in Brooklyn are throwing their weight behind Coney Island with Mayor Bloomberg thought to favor redevelopment of Willets Point, which is adjacent to Citi Field. Manhattan definitely won’t be seeing any type of casino and a decision isn’t likely until next year.
