One current, one former casino employee charged in football betting ring

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000 | 3:53 a.m.

Tri Van Nguyen, 39, a former casino supervisor at Trump Taj Mahal, and roommate Henry Wong, 27, a Trump Marina food server, were arrested Sunday after a four-month probe, state Division of Gaming Enforcement officials said.

Each was charged with promoting gambling, possession of gambling records and conspiracy. In addition, state investigators plan to ask the state Casino Control Commission to suspend their licenses to work in casinos.

In the Sunday raid at their Galloway Township home, $35,000 in cash was seized, along with records of the bookmaking operation, division Director John Peter Suarez said.

Katherine Lyons, a spokeswoman for the division, said it wasn't clear how long the two had been taking bets or whether they used their casino jobs to get clients.

They took bets on football only, she said.

"The fact that they were both licensees - one was working in a casino - they may have met people there. We do think some of their clients were employees," Lyons said.

If that was the case, State Police will investigate the employee-bettors and determine later whether they should be charged, she said.

Nguyen has been licensed to work in casinos since 1986, Wong since last year. Taj Mahal spokeswoman Suze Stewart said the casino would not release information about why Nguyen no longer works there. Wong just started work in September as a waiter in the Imperial Court restaurant at Trump Marina.

They were released on their own recognizance pending Feb. 8 appearances in Municipal Court. The charges, which are all third-degree crimes, each carry penalties of up to five years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.