A little bit of card counting has became fairly a conundrum for one Colorado on line casino. The Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk now faces some severe accusations after a Georgia man alleges that he was illegally detained for card counting on the blackjack tables.
Joseph Shiraef, 34, is suing the on line casino’s proprietor, Gaming and Leisure Properties, together with town of Black Hawk, a metropolis police officer, and an worker with the state’s Division of Gaming. He’s now looking for $3 million – $1.5 million in financial and compensatory damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages.
Details On The Allegations
On Oct. 19, 2021, Shiraef discovered himself on an extended layover on the Denver International Airport. Instead of sitting round and ready for his flight, he headed to the Ameristar for some blackjack within the close by city of Black Hawk, about 45 minutes west of the airport.
Shiraef, who admits that he’s a card counter, was taking part in for awhile and was really down about $4,000 when he was approached by employees and requested for his ID. He refused, as an alternative displaying a wristband that proved his ID was already checked when he entered the property.
“They wanted my ID, I’m almost 100% certain, to share my information with other casinos – which, the legality of that is pretty much a gray area,” he advised KDVR-TV.
He nonetheless had $1,800 in chips, which the on line casino refused to money out with out his ID. Rather than cope with the scenario, Shiraef opted to only return later and as an alternative head on to catch his flight.
While making an attempt to go away the property, nevertheless, Shiraef says he was bodily blocked by employees members. An worker stated he was being stopped for the “criminal violation of the Colorado fraud statute by counting cards.”
Card Counting Isn’t Illegal
Card counting is a method utilized in blackjack the place a participant mentally retains observe of the playing cards which have been proven, and varies their wager dimension relying on whether or not or not the “count” is advantageous to them.
The extra large playing cards nonetheless left within the deck, the extra worthwhile it’s for the participant. If there are lots of smaller playing cards left, nevertheless, the seller has the benefit. The apply is extraordinarily tough to grasp given what number of decks are sometimes utilized in a typical shoe, not to mention having the ability to maintain a depend with out arousing suspicion from safety.
Counting playing cards isn’t unlawful in Colorado, nevertheless. In reality it isn’t technically unlawful wherever, however property administration has to proper to stop taking a participant’s motion and ask them to go away.
When he was lastly in a position to exit the on line casino, Shireaf says his automotive was then blocked by an SUV. An worker advised him that counting playing cards was unlawful and a warrant could possibly be issued for his “fraudulent activity.”
Shireaf additionally alleges a Colorado Gaming Commission agent demanded to see his license. He argues that he didn’t break any regulation and shouldn’t have been detained, threatened with felony fees, or have his chip money out request rejected.
“I knew that it was wrong and I was just kind of in a state of shock at how ignorant that city officials were acting,” he stated.
He was finally allowed to go away, however the delay triggered him to overlook his flight.
The lawsuit argues that his Fourth Amendment rights in opposition to unreasonable searches and seizures have been violated, and that the on line casino and Gaming and Leisure engaged in false imprisonment, negligent coaching, and refusing to money in his chips.
The on line casino hasn’t commented on the lawsuit, however the metropolis of Black Hawk and the police officer concerned have filed a movement to dismiss the case. City officers additionally argue that the officer is protected by certified immunity, which protects authorities officers from legal responsibility whereas on obligation.