Bulgarian Gang Arrested for Manipulating Gambling Devices at Casino

Eight criminals who were part of an organised crime gang have been arrested and charged with crimes relating to computer crimes and money laundering in casinos. Police managed to break up the gang in a raid involving officers from Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, and Pleven in Bulgaria on October 20th.  

The eight, including croupiers from a gambling hall, had been allegedly involved in manipulating slots and roulette tables using specialised equipment. It is claimed that casino managers knew about the operation but that the casino owners did not. 

Gang Operated Across Five Districts Targeting Casinos  

Operating in five districts, including Stara Zagora, Peven, Plodiv, Snolvan, and Sofia, the gang manipulated gambling machines and also cheated at the roulette table using electronic devices and microchips.  

Police seized and tested the machines which revealed the technical devices used to manipulate outcomes. It is alleged that there was also involvement of a business influence from outside of the country.

"What these manipulations are: an electronic device is produced that is connected to the respective gaming machine and through an external remote device, the change of the algorithm of the respective gaming machine is provoked in such a way that it generates a jackpot win for the one who plays. 

"In addition to this, they have also manipulated the live game, roulette, where the manipulation is carried out by making a ball in which a chip is implanted, which chip is triggered again by an external remote control in such a way that the ball is set at rest on the number to which the offender wishes, "explained Dimitar Molev, supervising prosecutor of the District Prosecutor's Office in Plovdiv. 

It is not clear how much money the eight members of the gang managed to gain from their criminal activity.  

Expert Warns of Widespread Cheating by Criminals 

Leading expert on casino protection, John Connolly, who has given presentations on ‘Casino Cheat Detection’ told Casinos.com: “We know who these perpetrators are, but we only give out details and identities in casino security circles. 

"From the picture, I was able to identify the main perpetrator, who they say is looking at between 5 and fifteen years in prison." added Connolly.

In 2022, John was invited to conduct his "Casino Cheat Detection Presentation" in five casinos throughout Switzerland, including a short presentation for the Swiss Gaming Commission (ESBK) and Central Europe. In 2023, he gave his presentation on nine occasions for casinos in Europe.