News HomeMost Read News
Trio Accused of Cheating at a Buffalo Casino
A group of three was accused of cheating at a blackjack table in Seneca Buffalo Creek casino during mid-September. Apparently, the employees had gotten suspicious when two of the guys won thousands of dollars at a blackjack table. Upon checking the security tapes, the casino’s staff got the police involved. By the next day, one of the two men, as well as the blackjack dealer herself were in police custody.
Who Were the Two?
The blackjack dealer was identified as Emily Torres. Her identity was pulled from former police and court records. The arrested man was Mark Watson, 28. He won over 5 grand playing blackjack at Ms. Torres’ table. He was arrested the day after his wins.
Lastly, Rahat Hossain, age 34, was the last one to be accused of cheating at the table. He had won over $2000 and his arrest came 5 – 6 days after the events that transpired, according to Buffalo police reports.
The three were charged with gaming fraud in the first degree, an E-class felony. Mr. Hossain pled not guilty at his arraignment, which took place just last week. Torres and Watson’s arraignment is coming on September 8.
Both Mark Watson and Rahat Hossain paid full restitution to the casino upon a rest. Mr. Watson paid out a sum of approximately $5200 and Mr. Hossain paid what amounted to $2200. Naturally, all three have been permanently banned from the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, and all other Seneca Gaming Properties.
Gaming Fraud
Cases like these are exceedingly uncommon in the state of New York. According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, since the middle of 2017, only four men have been arrested for gaming fraud in the state. To top it off, only three were filed as actual felonies, and one was only a misdemeanor.
To top it all off, the county in which this event took place has not seen an example of gaming fraud since 2018, according to the District Attorney. In 2016, a man was charged with gaming fraud in the second degree. He pled guilty to disorderly conduct and got off with a conditional discharge sentence.
In 2019, the region saw a case involving second-degree gaming fraud charges. The courts consider second-degree fraud a misdemeanor, however, the charges were dismissed before reaching the courtroom. The records of the case have been sealed, according to the DA’s office.
