Ohio preps 1st casino cheating cases from two sites

CLEVELAND (AP) — The early odds of catching a suspected cheat at Ohio’s two new casinos are about one every other day.

The Cleveland casino has been open almost six weeks and the Toledo casino more than three weeks.

In that time, 15 to 25 suspected cheaters and others involved in gambling-related offenses have been investigated, according to Karen Huey, head of enforcement for the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Matt Schuler, executive director of the commission, said today that the cases would be turned over to prosecutors in Cleveland and Toledo for possible prosecution.

“We have investigations under way at both casinos on cheating activity,” he said. “Up until charges are filed and the investigations are still under way, we can’t go into any detail.”

By law, cheating includes using phony chips, falsely claiming winnings without betting or having a device that can affect a game’s outcome.