Two RWS croupiers sentenced to jail for cheating at play

SINGAPORE — Two croupiers from Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) who colluded with a casino patron were sentenced to jail yesterday for cheating at play.

Zhang Zhijiu, 40, was sentenced to eight months’ jail, while Choo Hui Yong, 27, was sentenced to four months’ jail.

Chinese national Zhang had used his position manning the Three Card Poker table to give his accomplice Chua Lai Huat, 65, an unfair advantage in the game. Zhang would flash the last card in the dealer’s deck to Chua when he was taking the cards out from the shuffling machine.

In return, Chua agreed to pay Zhang 20 per cent of the day’s winnings. Between June 29 and July 14, Zhang flashed the last card in the dealer’s deck 370 times and was paid S$400.

Zhang and Chua were arrested on July 14 after being alerted by the casino operator. Casino chips worth S$6,000, as well as other items believed to be used by them to facilitate their crime, were seized.

Malaysian national Choo also used his position as a dealer of the Three Card Poker table to cheat the casino by using the same tactic. On June 13, Choo flashed the last card of the dealer’s deck to Chua 138 times and was paid S$600 for his efforts.

Zhang pleaded guilty to two charges and Choo, to one. Four other charges were taken into consideration for Zhang, and two for Choo. SIAU MING EN