In news that has rocked the poker community, a seasoned dealer at the prestigious JACK Cleveland Casino has been caught red-handed stealing chips from the tables entrusted to him. Jason Salibaa 51-year-old resident of North Olmsted, Ohio, is now facing a slew of charges, including 14 counts of violating the casino gaming law – a serious felony of the fifth degree – and an additional charge of theft.

The incident occurred on September 6 when a vigilant casino owner noticed Saliba’s suspicious actions and immediately alerted casino management. The player reportedly witnessed Saliba subtly siphoning chips from a pot he was handing out, a blatant breach of trust that destroyed the casino’s image of integrity.

Casino staff acted quickly and reviewed surveillance footage that confirmed the player’s claims. Saliba’s illegal actions were captured in high definition thanks to the advanced surveillance system that monitors every move on the casino floor.

The subsequent investigation by the Ohio Casino Control Commission even more damning evidence has been uncovered. Surveillance footage revealed five additional instances in which Saliba was apparently caught on camera engaging in similar illegal activities. Over the course of a month, investigators allege Saliba made off with chips fourteen times. Although the total value allegedly stolen is less than a thousand dollars, the consequences of his actions are far-reaching.

Under Ohio law, theft of less than $1,000 is treated as a misdemeanor, while thefts exceeding this threshold are given misdemeanor status. Given the charges, Saliba could potentially face up to 12 months in prison for the crime (if the total value of the stolen chips is later found to be more than $1,000) and an additional 180 days for the crime. He was quickly fired from JACK Cleveland the day after the violations were verified via video evidence.

Unfortunately, Saliba’s case is not an isolated incident. He is the second person recently accused of stealing from a casino table game. Ellis Quinn, a Tennessee man with a history of cheating at multiple casinos, was charged on July 31 with cheating at craps at the casino. He was indicted last month.

These cases underscore the broader challenges casinos face in ensuring fair play and maintaining the integrity of their games. The Ohio Casino Control Commission, which oversees and investigates gambling crimes, reported 24 cases of cheating at state casinos between July 2023 and June 2024, including 12 at the JACK Cleveland Casino alone. Those convicted of such offenses face serious consequences, including a ban from gambling establishments in Ohio and addition to the commission’s involuntary exclusion list.

Casinos like JACK Cleveland use advanced technology to protect their assets. Each poker chip is equipped with small RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips, allowing its movement to be tracked in real time and preventing possible theft or counterfeiting. In addition to RFID technology, the casino has high-definition surveillance cameras strategically placed around gaming tables and throughout the venue. These measures are reinforced by trained security teams and regular audits to maintain strict control and supervision of casino operations.

Saliba’s case is now moving toward a pretrial status conference scheduled for Dec. 3 in the case Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. This will be a crucial step in determining the legal course of action.

Saliba’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and integrity in live poker games. It also highlights the effectiveness of modern casino security measures in detecting and deterring such crimes.