Fake gaming chips are an idea that seems likelier to come out of a Hollywood heist movie than real life. Still, operators at the Dallas location of the Texas Card House recently discovered just such an attempt.
In a post on the Texas Card House Dallas Facebook page, admins indicated that there had been a recent attempt at passing off fake chips at the poker social club’s cage.
“We care about your safety and the integrity of our games,” the post read. “Recently we’ve come across some counterfeit chips in the DFW area. To protect yourself and ensure a fair play experience, please avoid trading or buying chips from individuals.”
In comments made to PokerNews’ Callum Grant, a source claimed the counterfeit chips were caught “almost immediately,” and that the chips were “highly convincing.”
There has been no official word of criminal charges or potential suspects, but Texas Card House is working to press charges against those trying to pass off fake chips.
“TCH is actively working with authorities to prosecute anyone found intentionally trying to pass along counterfeit chips,” read the Facebook post.
Counterfeit chips aren’t a new issue, and it’s a complete non-issue in online poker games. But luckily for operators, they’ve become exceedingly rare in recent years.
The most infamous instance occurred in January 2014, when Christian Lusardi was arrested at Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City for trying to add counterfeit chips into a tournament.
The situation exploded when Harrah’s Resort and Casino staff in Atlantic City discovered 2.7 million counterfeit poker chips flushed down the toilet in a hotel room.
The main difference between the cases in Texas and New Jersey is that the cheaters in the Lone Star State were trying to pass off
Borgata canceled an ongoing $2 million guarantee event, with 27 players left, and the prize pool was frozen. The ensuing controversy led to a class-action lawsuit from some of the 27 players still in the tournament about a proposed $19,323 payout and other entrants who claimed to have been defrauded by Lusardi’s action.
Ultimately, Lusardi served time in prison after pleading guilty to trademark counterfeiting charges and criminal mischief. He also served time for pirating DVDs in a separate incident.
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