Casino Cheats Gain An Entry In Legal Records

A casino gang that tried to cheat its way to thousands of pounds of roulette winnings in a "top-hatting" scam have made legal history. The three men are the first fraudsters to be sentenced for cheating at play under the Gaming Act 1845.

Detectives said the gang preyed on roulette tables, distracting dealers and fellow players so they could drop chips on winning numbers - after the ball had settled on the wheel.

Martin Kwong Lee, 42, Shuhal Miah, 36, and Martin Fitz, 45, would hide a stash of chips in their hand as the wheel was spinning, diverting a dealer's attention by asking for more tokens. With gaming staff distracted, they would wait for the ball to settle on a number and drop the chips in place. DC John Wedger said: "They used numerous identities to gain access to casinos to which they had nationally been banned."

They were found guilty at Middlesex Guildhall. Kwong Lee, of Mitcham, Surrey, was given a community punishment order and fined £170. Miah, of Bethnal Green, east London, received a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to forfeit £880. Fitz, of Hendon, north London, was given a community rehabilitation order.