Police Investigate Rigged Blackjack Claims at Jeju Casino

South Korean authorities are investigating allegations that a small casino on Jeju Island was rigging blackjack games to ensure customer losses. Following a tip-off from Jeju Province officials, police began their inquiry into the claims about the casino, which is located within a luxury resort complex. Concerns arose after reports indicated that significant gambling expenditures were occurring at the blackjack tables within the casino. A Jeju Province official pointed out that it is uncommon for smaller casinos to offer blackjack, as these tables typically do not yield considerable revenue. Jeju Province has initiated an investigation onsite, utilizing video footage collected by a casino operation status management system that it shares with the National Forensic Service. Findings from this investigation revealed that one blackjack table was generating “profits of an unusual scale,” and officials noted signs of anomalies at the table. Subsequently, the investigation revealed evidence that cards had been altered or forged to benefit the casino. Officials seized several decks of these cards and provided them, along with related closed-circuit television footage showing manipulated games, to the police. Law enforcement plans to question both casino officials and unnamed third parties during their investigation. Previous inquiries into casino card manipulation in South Korea have uncovered practices such as marked cards and fraudulent dealing methods. Jeju is known for its subtropical climate and foreigner-only casinos, which cater exclusively to foreign passport holders. Last September, a riot erupted at a Jeju City casino, leading to multiple arrests. The conflict ensued when a Chinese patron raised concerns over card dealing, leading others to allege the casino was cheating. The disturbance escalated, prompting the arrival of around 100 police officers to quell the situation. Despite this turmoil, Jeju's casino sales and visitor numbers have surged, particularly with an influx of mainland Chinese tourists. Lotte Dream Tower, a hotel-casino, reported record-breaking sales in May, reaching nearly $33 million, up 19.5% from the previous year and a 1% increase from April. However, police have cautioned that gambling-related crime appears to be rising in Jeju, noting a notable increase in illegal currency exchanges that specifically target mainland Chinese gamblers.