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Surveillance video images of an armed man who police believe robbed the Bellagio and Suncoast casinos. The Suncoast robbery is at the left and right, and Bellagio is in the center.
By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Published Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 | 9:19 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 | 2:09 p.m.
Robber Flees the Bellagio
Metro News Conference
The Bellagio hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Metro Police are looking for an armed man who made off on a motorcycle with about $1.5 million worth of gambling chips Tuesday morning from the Bellagio hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Police Lt. Clint Nichols said the man parked his motorcycle outside the casino's north valet, then walked directly to a craps table at about 3:50 a.m. He pulled a gun, demanded chips and fled the casino.
He was last seen wearing a full-face helmet as he fled westbound on Flamingo Road on a black sport-style motorcycle. No shots were fired and no one was injured.
Nichols called the robbery "about as quick as you can do it" — about two to three minutes from entry to exit. He estimated the chips were worth about $1.5 million, with chip amounts ranging from as low as $100 to as high as $25,000.
The culprit, however, might find it hard to redeem his loot because the chips are only good at the Bellagio. Gordon Absher, spokesman for Bellagio owner MGM Resorts International, declined to discuss the investigation. But he noted that casino chips aren't the same as cash.
"At some point they have to be redeemed," Absher said.
Chips are unique to casino properties and are not interchangeable. Absher wouldn't say if MGM Resorts properties are among Las Vegas casinos that embed radio frequency devices in its chips.
Detectives were reviewing surveillance video and camera images. Authorities said about 15 casino patrons were in the area when police arrived to investigate the robbery.
Police later released an 11-second video showing a man in a jumpsuit running through a casino entry lobby with a gun in his right hand. At one point, he turned and pointed the weapon behind him.
The robber was described as white and about 5-feet-10-inches tall, about 220 pounds and wearing a white motorcycle helmet with multiple stripes and a black jacket, black pants and black gloves.
Investigators said the suspect is likely the same man who robbed the Suncoast casino, 9090 Alta Drive, on Dec. 9. In that robbery, the man robbed a cashier's cage near where a poker tournament was going on.
Police said the Suncoast robber got away with just less than $20,000.
The Bellagio robbery marks the 10th casino robbery so far this year in Metro's jurisdiction. Last year, there were nine casino robberies, police said.
"The number is still relatively low. This is not an epidemic that we see valleywide," Nichols said. "In most events, we actively pursue those folks that commit those robberies and do a fairly decent job apprehending them, and hopefully this will hold true."
Police said the casino industry has safeguards in place that would make it difficult — but not impossible — for the suspect to cash in on the chips' worth.
Police believe the man committed the robbery alone, but detectives are exploring whether others could be involved.
"There's typically a layoff guy that calls in and says when and where to conduct a robbery," Nichols said. "That's an assumption we're working on in this event. We're not sure that's the case."
Anyone with information about the cases is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555 or www.crimestoppersofnv.com.
Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, the AAA Five Diamond Bellagio overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, 8 ½-acre lake, where fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet choreographed to music and lights.
Within Bellagio are award-winning dining experiences including two AAA Five Diamond restaurants, Julian Serrano's Picasso and Le Cirque from the renowned Maccioni family.
Bellagio is home to an impressive collection of luxury retailers including Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Breguet, Prada, Fred Leighton, Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Hermès and OMEGA.
A world-class art gallery, the exquisite Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the stunning “O” by Cirque du Soleil, a luxurious spa and salon, dynamic nightlife at The Bank, Hyde Bellagio and Lily Bar & Lounge and an elegant casino all add to the extraordinary Bellagio experience.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Isn't that ironic..a customer robbing a casino.
Other news outlets are reporting he took 1.5 million in chips.
Crime is a Cancer, if the justice system dosen't see it, then JUSTICE IS TRUELY BLIND. Once these criminals are caught, they need to be delt with swiftly and justly. OH!! I've got it. Lets put them in jail with food, medical, dental, optical, recreation, phones, all for free. That will teach those bad ol criminals. ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.
Will be easy for the suspect to unload the chips?
I would assume that the minute he left that casino those chips became worthless.
Perfect Proof that CRIME DOES NOT PAY! This guy doesn't know that chips have microchips? And that when you have a REALLY large amount one, they question the HELL out of you and ask for your players club card etc. He is so screwed. He'd better get the hell outta dodge and mail the chips back to the Bellagio. He's still going down if he gets caught though!
dipstick
Judging from your "Pahrump" comment - you must have heard about the bust on I-80 here in Illinois!!!
Aaronboy
For goodness sakes - the idiot stole money!! He didn't kill a dozen people!!! And if it is true it was just chips.....WTF is he going to do with those???
Check the tapes closely -- It had to be Steve Wynn.
1.5 million? How many tables and pits would he have to rob to get 1.5 mil?
Each table conservatively holds 50-60k...that's 30 tables to wipe out?
Is security there for decoration? This guy walks in with a toy gun, walks out unmolested with 1.5 mil??
What am I doing wrong?
Maybe this guy did for the sport of it. Oceans 14?
Was the guy even armed? With all those cameras they should be able to identify the helmet/motorcycle and hopefully find the guy. It would seem so easy to hide on The Strip, though. Not going to affect me when I am out there next, crime happens everywhere.
Why would the chips not be good?
Even if he cashed them, or gambled with them over time, it sounds easy to me.
Over time, he may even be able to turn them into further winnings.
Sweet. Criminal and daring, but sweet.
only 1000 dollars chip have micro chip in them
he will trade them in eventually
TomD1228, if he went to high limit bacarrat, he could garner chips with a worth of at least $25,000 each. A rack (100) of $25,00 chips would net 2.5 million.
Why would the chips not be good?
Because as far as I am aware the casinos have at least 2 sets of chips. In the event of a robbery the chip set stolen gets switched out for a slightly different design or colour scheme.
They might switch the color scheme-but the casino still has to honor the old chips. People take chips home & come back & play 2 months later with those same chips. Happens all the time.
This guy is going to take a chance and try and cash in $1000 dollar chips?
Doubtful. I find it hard to believe he can cash in these chips without bringing attention to himself. If he's not a player or has no players card and there is no record of his gambling at the Bellagio for high stakes..he can't just walk in with big money chips and cash them in. They will be on him like white on rice.
The Casinos may have two sets of chips but they sill have to honor the old chips for a period of time, can't just cut off redemption, not without notice.
How about this theory, It was an inside job and the robber and his partners will use mules to launder the chips back into the casino. On a real busy night, They will buy new chips and then color up the stolen chips at the tables. To do this you have to have a Brass B@lls. If and when he is apprehended it will be by snitches who drop him to the thugs in asset management at the Bellagio.
I read earlier that when someone heisted a bunch of chips during a Tyson fight a while back, all of the chips were someone made worthless. Can anyone confirm/fill in details?
If they are worthless, I would imagine that it isn't theft of money, per se...he may as well of stolen fifty pounds worth of plastic forks from the kitchen. Yes?
The small denom ships could be spent but for large denom chips where is he going to cash or play them? Evey casino is going to know what denom chips were taken and will call before doing anything if someone tries to cash or play them. They do track who has big denom chips so a nobody wouldn't be able to cash them.
Chips Ahoy!
Casino value = Face
Street distribution value = Less than Face
: {
UKVegaslover.....Dont' know where you heard they have different chips ?? I heard he took them from a crap game. And they wont be good because they dont cash in $25,000 & $100,000 chips without ID or tracked play
FYI, there checques, not chips. Chips have no denomination. And they have value if you know how to handle them, except the big denominations (25K). They know who has them and if your name isn't associated with them then they do not have to honor them due to the fact that there 'non transferable' and not considered currency
Gambling chips?! WTF?!... this one's a smart one. LOL
Security doesn't notice someone walking around with a full face helmet with the visor closed at night?
Aaronboy posted "Crime is a Cancer, if the justice system dosen't see it, then JUSTICE IS TRUELY BLIND. Once these criminals are caught, they need to be delt with swiftly and justly. OH!! I've got it. Lets put them in jail with food, medical, dental, optical, recreation, phones, all for free. That will teach those bad ol criminals. ha,ha,ha,ha,ha."
I dont understand how so many people are all about throwing the book at every little crime commited and how all these criminals need to dealt with swiftly and justly when in fact there are so many crimes being commited at the highest levels of government and all of you say nothing. Our justice system is broke, totaly broken. If we want America to get back on track then we cant just allow our govenrment officials, police officers, ceo's, bankers and others to live without laws themselves. We the people need to hold all people accountable for crimes commited no matter who they are or what they do. We've had multiple presidents commit major crimes yet most people dont care or even understand a crime has been commited. For example, President Obama is currently the sitting President of the United States of America and has commited HIGH TREASON when he also became President of the UN security council. In America it is 100% illegal and treasonous to hold office of a foriegn entity while also holding any type of office in our government, yet NOBODY is even mentioning a word of this in the main stream news media. If we cant uphold the laws of this land and make EVERYONE live up to those laws then we are and will always be a broken state. Instead of going after the small fish and making it look like we actually uphold the law, we need to go after every single politician that was responsible for war crimes, treason and other high crimes and then, and only then will the United States of America get back on track to being the best country on this planet and a highly respected nation among others in the world. We must start at the very top and throw the book at all of those criminals and work our way down.
Ocean's 1, the prequel.
What is he going to do with them? Casinos routinely don't cash in chips that are brought in from outside if they suspect they were acquired in trade (it's state law). It should be easy enough for the cops to put their ear to the ground and find a fink if he spreads them around. If he tries to redeem them in bulk, he's screwed. What an idiot - get the cash next time! :)
anyone thinking oceans 11?
Would it be possible for the guy to sell the high denom chips to high-rollers at a discount?
You can sell them to strippers at a discount. They come into the casino to cash them out, saying some high roller came into the tittie bar and paid her with a chip. Some restaurants and nightclubs will accept chips from the casino they are located in. This guy could take over the dance floor tables at Bank on NYE probably :)
Another idiot adding costs for the rest of us.
George Clooney was in town?
"Would it be possible for the guy to sell the high denom chips to high-rollers at a discount?"
"You can sell them to strippers at a discount."
That's a great idea. The robber should spread Bellagio chips to as many people as possible because obviously none of them would rat him out. <sarcasm>
In the real world, if he does this he will be caught in a week. Every hooker out there wants to provide a tip and get a get-out-of-jail-free-card (one time use) in trade.
How in the hell is anyone going
to use $25,000 chips without getting
caught. Bad move dude. I'm really
looking into how this is going to
play out. Don't people know that those
chips have RFID chips in them? Stupid.
They're traceable. And they can simply
kill their ID's making them worthless.
If you're going to steal, steal CASH!
The government despite all of their
efforts can't stop counterfeiting. Look
at all of the fake junk that looks real
comming out of North Korea. Now you're
going to lose your freedom and your gains.
If you're going to do a crime then do
something that someone can write about
so you can get some payback after they
capture your ass. Oh right, That's illegal
now too. Dumbass.
Hope your bike has a huge gas tank, cause you're
going to be on the run for a long time.
Stick to petty crime. That seems to be your
best bet. And the weapon? Now they can kill you
on the spot. Instant karma gonna get you.
The casinos have been robbing and stealing for years! My hero
the picture on this article the man is wearing different clothes, helmet, shoes & the backpack dissapears, than the video shown.
did he change clothes? or is that picture from the suncoast robbery?
it would be interesting to know if bellagio chips are integrated with rfid technology...
Those now possessing Bellagio chips instantly become suspects -- wouldn't want to be caught holding ANY tokens tainted in suspicion -- what a PR mess.
: {
One commenter says: "The picture on this article the man is wearing different clothes, helmet, shoes & the backpack disappears, than the video shown. Did he change clothes?"
I had a similar question: When did he put on the mask? Did security see him going in, or just coming out of the casino?
As the unemployment rate continues to soar, I fear that more stupid people will decide to rob casino tables or cages, putting customers at risk when the robbers try a show of force, or panic, while in possession of firearms.
....and in other news MGM has announced a 4th quarter loss of 1.5 million dollars.....
Although it was well planned and executed, I will put my bets on the cops finding him, within the next 14 days. I am 220, white and about 5'11" but I wouldn't rob a casino for chips. I will print a t-shirt for him; "I robbed the Belagio for 2m, and I all I got was 20 years..."
It's not like DB Cooper who bailed with mega cash,
I am not saying he wasn't daring. I am saying I believe the chips are going to be hard to pass. 2 weeks, any takers? I have my bus pass and fun book against your dime
C. Observer. Good point. I never used to worry about being in a strip casino or walking the strip but now I am much more careful about who is walking behind me, who is in the restroom etc.. I think people are more desperate now. And over the smallest things like a pile of chips or snatching someone's purse.
Someone tried to steal my fanny pack (they are ugly, I know...but oh so practical)when I was walking in front of TI last year. Luckily I had safety pinned it to my shirt so they were able to unclip the belt but not take the f.pack.
"Security doesn't notice someone walking around with a full face helmet with the visor closed at night?"
ROFL
Sorry,thats the first thing I said to my girlfriend,unless he is that football guy in the commercial flying down the hallway,sorry the name escapes me
and YES,I understand that just prior to the robbery he put the helmet on,but still the initial thought is funnier than he^^
peace out
if hes robbing a casino,I highly doubt that the registration on the bike is current also,,lol
He may beat this thing if he's smart. I think he's able to pass these chips not the big denominations, too risky, his total haul depends on how many 100 and below chips he got, even 500 would in my mind be too risky to pass for fear of them being embedded with rf devices. There are a lot of chips outstanding in the hands of the public that for a variety of reasons don't get exchanged right away. Some people for a variety of reasons don't present any players club card. I happen to know of an individual who made some big scores over the years playing blackjack. He did not cash in his chips right away, had denoms up to 500, and had no trouble redeeming them slowly. I asume the dude had a stolen or otherwise untraceable tag on the motorcycle. If he stashes the bike or better yet disassembles it and destroys it and the helmet, cashes in slowly, doesn't tell anybody if he was solo on this. Also, better not try to fence the large denomination chips, either. I don't condone what he did. I don't admire him. What he did was wrong and was really dangerous someone could have gotten killed. It will be interesting to see what happens from here.
I have to say, the guy had testicular fortitude like you can't believe to pull a stunt like this.
Nerve racking crime. I'm amazed he was able to park the bike, walk in with the helmet on, pull the heist and run back out.
So, twice a week, maybe 3 times he walks in, plays $5 bj after flipping in his $100 chip...loses or wins $25-$75, then goes to the cashier and cashes in plus 1 additional $100 chip. Anywhere from $350 to $500 per week cash. $25k per year until they are gone. He can't fool with the $500, $1000 or $25,000 chips. Those are garbage. His total heist isn't anywhere near 1.5 when you consider all the high denomination chips are worthless.
It isn't millions but 25k extra per year isn't bad.
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I'm sure they are on alert for people trying to cash in the big chips (if anyone was dumb enough).
Thanks Moatsad!
Metro is putting out mis information on hate talk radio that the chips are worthless, don't believe it.
These casinos = the banks of the 30's
brave, bold and beautiful....that you JOHN DILENGER in a helmet...I notice Metro was pulling over motorcycle people this morning... I'm sure he parked it.
This is an inside job by an ex Metro or current Metro or a Casino guy....the chip's tag can be squawked...and they will be un identifieable.
The insurance companies will pay under the table to stop the chips, just like in Oceans 11...hah ha ha
in fact, it was more than like likely organized by the Casino to get some insurance money...Look at the fraud of the Harvey's Tahoe Wagon Wheel....
it is a shake down by the casino's against the insurance companies......
Wow, mred. People say I am cynical.
If what you say is true, I can hear the movie script being typed already.
It might be a 'hoot' if this was staged in order to see how alert the security staff was/is.....
So, if the Bellagio planned it as a mechanism to grade just how well their security personnel are doing (as well as how well the surveillance cameras are working), it makes the news and at the same time gives them a chance to remind the public that if they do steal chips, it will be nearly impossible to use them.
Just a theory; sometimes it's the obvious we overlook. By making it look this easy, others will come up with the same idea and probably won't be as successful.
Did he get any dip with those chips?
they say the pictures that the casnios take are so good you see the mole on a nates azz,then why are these pics. so terrible. like any body would be able to know him.also where was the security personal that was supposed to be by all the exits and entrances. sounds like an inside job to me.
....wow that easy....how does he use the chips that he just stole....and why is he doing this...I mean cash I could understand but chips....strange...doing it to see if he can get away with it because he will never be able to cash those chips in....
Has the Bellagio contacted George Clooney aka Daniel Ocean, Brad Pitt aka Rusty Ryan, or Matt Damon aka Linus Caldwell?
The still photos on tan tiles is the suncoast. He knew what day the high limit poker was and knew EXACTLY what drawer the cash was in. He was a regular poker player for sure. As for the chips not sure. My casino cashier has to call the pit the chips come from to verify they are not stolen or fake chips if the chip value is OVER $100. I'm sure the Bellagio will use the same procedure. This moron is screwed!
$1.5 million from one table?!?! No wonder MGM can afford to consider imploding the Harmon Hotel http://www.flickr.com/photos/thatcar/525...
Chunky says:
At least he wore a proper helmet and jacket for the ride! ATGATT!
Chunky wishes the "authorities" such that they are would go after all the corporate thieves who have robbed us blind with their Excel spreadsheets!
That's what Chunky thinks!
If I were this guy, I would wait at least several months and then go play in a high stakes poker game in Bobby's room which is located in the Bellagio's poker room. My initial buy in would be for cash and would request some large demonination chips. I would then carefully exchange one or more tainted large denomination chips from the robbery with the same demonination chips that I had just bought. I would play a while and make sure that all the tainted chips were exchanged for cash or smaller demonination chips while playing. I would play extremely tight poker and leave either a small winner or more likely a small loser.
I haven't been to the B in some time, but as I recall, all the craps tables are quite far from the north valet. I don't see how he made it all the way to the craps tables, got the chips, and back to his bike in "... about two to three minutes from entry to exit."
Seems to me, he managed to park his bike out-of-sight at the north valet. Moseyed into the casino without his helmet on. Picked out the table to rob. Went to a secluded part of the casino (maybe the restroom by the buffet entrance), and put on his gear. Then made the robbery and getaway.
They must have photos of this guy without his helmet.
In regard to the value of the high denomination chips, when I read "Positively Fifth Street" I was confused as to why Ted Binion had stockpiled large amounts of brown $5k Binion's chips in his underground vault in Pahrump. How did he expect to get value out of these eventually? Even the top levels of casino management are subject to accounting rules aren't they? Or did "the skim" never really go away?
All this leads me to believe that the robber has some way to get value out of the chips, maybe by using a high-level manager or executive? Maybe by mixing them in with part of "the skim" money?
"WINNER, WINNER.....CHICKIN DINNER!!!!!!!!!!
THIS GUY NEEDS TO SEE MORE MOVIES..........
THE CASINO THUGS WILL TAKE HIM OUT TO THE DESERT....WHO NEEDS THE POLICE.......
What better time to reinstitute "the skim" than in a monumental downturn and the ensuing recovery.
Revenues off 11% year to year? Maybe they were only off 9.8%, and 1.2% was skimmed.
Revenues up 3% year to year? Maybe they were actually up 4.2%, and the now established skim rate of 1.2% reduced it to 3%.
My point is that, somehow, someway, this "robbery" leads back to the counting house, and the "king" counting the money.
Wow, smart criminal. Let's steal a bunch of chips that are sure to be worthless at this point. Idiot!
The brother put a bucket on his head and said "I'm going in", and he went in. You have to envy the size of his balls. However reality equals gravity and big balls do not cash chips.
Kudos. Stupid and daring as all hell, but kudos nonetheless.
There is a few ways the bandit can profit from this demeanor. If he's smart enough, I think he'll take these steps in the next several days. Obviously, the guy wouldn't be dumb enough to go cash in whatever values higher than a $100. If anything, he probably would never return to the casino, or Las Vegas for that matter.
The video capture is pretty much useless (not to mention I'm extremely perplexed the exquisite bellagio hotel can't even upgrade to high-def surveillance cameras) due to the fact that the bandit has probably already destroyed the clothes, helmet and is either disassembling or getting rid of the bike as well.
After laying low for a while, he will foreclose his home or move out of his residence in no sudden activity that may trigger any suspicion. He will most likely move out of state, maybe to LA or Arizona where there are common travelers that stop by Las Vegas.
From there he will sell low value chips($100 or lower) to commoners, gangs or thugs, the black market, you name it. There are tons of shady people in LA that would are willing to buy the chips at a deflated price.
As for the high value chips($100 or higher), someone mentioned selling it to strippers. That's an excellent idea. Perhaps he will try to sell it individually, or make some sort of deal with the Strip Club owners to send their gals to redeem the cash. If questioned, the strippers can testify some big shot tipped her at the club. Because there are many strip clubs owned by mafia or gang leaders, this route should be pretty easy.
Also, there's the waiting game. Over time, the bandit can probably make transaction across country, especially in Macao, China. It is common for bigshot gamers to pass around chips in substitute for currency of the country of the casino they are playing at.
If there is any sort of computer of tracking device in the chips, there's plenty of ways to disrupt the transmission or ruin the device. Bellagio wouldn't be smart to count on this mechanism to catch the bandit, if it even exists.
I hope that in my predictions it may help metro to catch the bandit. Although the bandit may have gotten away, it's very unlikely that he'll be out for more than a month. He'll crack, sooner or later.
This was not a 'ballsy' act - every professional criminal knows casinos are among the easiest targets, but getting cash rather than chips is difficult, thus casino robberies are still rare.
Some casinos are actually putting High Limit, Sports Book and hi-end table games close to the entrance/exit to attract and 'capture' players before they even have a chance to acquaint themselves with the casino. In and out 3-4 minutes, $1.5 million richer.
Casinos have no real Security (don't confuse the unarmed Eunuchs disguised as guards in Casinos with protection), cops are usually a long response time away and surveillance tapes are just that: tapes, not new digital technology that gives crisp, clear pictures.
Casino crimes carry long sentences in Nevada, making the risk to gain ratio a bit high.
Idiot, every one of those chips is RFI'd They can be read from the street and when the LVPD locates him, he's done. Every chip in that tray is worthless minutes after they were stolen.
To Castusdan....I'll Bet my Suncoast comp it takes less than 2 wks. OH DAMN!!...that's right,he stole that too. I'll bet my "M" Casino comp then...less than 2 wks...
Perhaps it was the famous "ghost rider" paying sin city a visit.:-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx1CkPcIC...
@dtruckdrivinfool
The RFI in those chips are good for 12 inch, max.
And...
Metro does not have the tech to read them.
Unfortunately for Mr. Bandit, there's really no way for him to cash these chips. Stealing them was really the easy part. Getting any value out of it is a whole different There's no safe way for him to do that. Not that I can think of.
Horrifying for the hotel I cannot imagine such an insane theft I only hope it was a drill as previously suggested in cooperation with law enforcement and hotel security, no one was harmed and chips are not redeemable. Scary The B is a secure place day and night there is no place quite as safe. Incomprehensible.
I seriously doubt that it's a "recently unemployed, desparate victim of the economy", as some have suggested. While the great majority of unemployed would never suddenly resort to robbery, the occasional one who does is probably after the quick buck to spend immediately, not difficult or impossible to negotiate casino chips. More likely to see that type knock over a liquor store, restaurant etc. for quick cash, not rob a high security casino.
Who knows what this guy was thinking. I imagine the high denomination chips are extremely limited in circulation and fairly well tracked by the casino. Maybe it's a training mission for a more daring type of robbery for large amounts of cash, who knows? He will likely be caught in short order.
Bellagio 1.5M Chip Heist test with multiple answers:
A) Luck be a Lady (Tonight).
B) And they said jobs are not plentiful in LV.
C) A huge win at the Craps Table.
D) Sell the chips to some shlumps at a discount for half the chips face value.
E) Bellagio could simply deactivate the microchip sensor built into each one of the stolen chips, thereby deeming them worthless to use and/or cash in.
So does this mean that Ocean's 11 has to be re-made? According to Ruben, the 3 most successful casino robberies occurred at the Horseshoe, the Flamingo in 71 and at Caesar's in 87. Could we have a new storyline for Ocean's 14.
CHips have computer chip serial numbers can only by cash at casino where they came from, ha! ha! have fun trying to cash out.
Wow interesting, the Dude has enough chips to get laid for life. What mask will he choose, Groucho Marx. Since this is basically currency. There may be hookers willing to give their services and a $1,000 Bellagio Chip for $500. You could come out of that deal $500 ahead.
If he starts giving out those chips, he'll be caught in 10 minutes. People get mouthy. There are not more than a few people giving out $1000 chips for "services"
He'll stand out like a sore thumb.
The only chips I could see him redeeming are the $100's without bringing too much attention to himself. The higher denom's...forget. They've become worthless.
Can't say I'm surprised. Las Vegas casinos have the worst security in the world. Where are they? You have a better chance of finding a hooker in a casino then a security officer. Most casinos everywhere else have security hosts stationed at the entrances. Obvious reasons: keep underage, intoxicated, prostitutes, known criminals and guys with helmets and guns out. In Macau they get far more people in their casinos but still have them all go through metal detectors.
This is all about the recession and corporate cutbacks. The shameful part is that casino robberies and theft (both internal and external) have been on the increase ever since the recession began but Vegas casino arrogance and refusal to spend money on security has opened the way. Unless they stop cutting costs in security, I expect more of this to occur. I just dearly hope that staff and customers don't get hurt. Oh well, the fountains will still rise tomorrow.
Cmon Man!
He sells the chips to other people at a discount.
I saw him headed West to Pahrump...
Ladies and Gentlemen, do not fool yourselves. If these chips were RFI'd, to a point they "could be read in the casino when someone passes by on the BLVD." they would be driving up and down the streets until they found them. If this casino had the money to RFI the chips, wouldn't they also have better surveillance cameras? The fact is yes all the casinos have been alerted for Bellagio chips being passed in ANY denomination, BUT after time people will forget, and cashiers and dealers just want to do their 8 and go home with as little trouble as possible. If you knew how many counterfeit bills were passed at tables you'd be amazed, and that's with dealers who have been trained to recognize counterfeits and they still pass. The fact is you probably have to wait it out till the summer tourism season when business picks up and things move faster, it'll be easy to pass these. And as for security... 90% of the casinos on the strip have no armed presence( that means no guns) metros guaranteed response times are anywhere from 3-8 minutes depending on time of day, day of week and traffic. ANY of the unarmed casinos have a stand off policy, the security officers will not engage an subject armed with a gun, or anything that appears to be a gun. They feel that they have insurance, and that will replace the money lost, but not what they could loose if a family sues for wrongful death or other possible suits that could come from various incidents and possibilities. Casinos wont go back to arming security until someone wonders through shooting people and the public asks how could a casino let this happen?
Every time someone cashes in a $25,000 chip they will check the serial number, He will only be able to get away with the small value ones.
Apparently he's not aware he's an imbecile. Casino's don't miss a thing and they know what was taken, they know the amounts and unless this dummy returns they are useless anywhere else. If he returns to use any chip taken,...his casino fun will be short lived,...they'll have his ass in the security office with Metro on the way faster than he can say WTF? Forrest Gump once said, stupid is as stupid does.
Kevin, I am not so sure. Agree they, the Bellagio, knows what was taken. Also, probably, that they can't be used somewhere else. As an accountant I have some familiarity with inventory electronic/computerized/wireless internal control systems, but not in the casino industry. Further I have no knowledge of the more sophisticated features of casino security. Having said that, I know the technology exists or can be adapted to track each and every individual chip of any denomination. Likewise, a suspect chip could be identified by a computer identifying it as suspect wirelessly by programming it to identify the chip if it was attempted to be played or the absence of required information if it was tampered with. How far along or if casinos are in the process of moving toward such a system, of that I am not aware. Perhaps, this heist will accelerate the push in this direction of chip tracking. I am not convinced that if this guy comes back at some point to the Bellagio and attempts to use a lower denomination chip that he will be identified and nabbed as a result.
I have been told by veteran Vegas visitors that go to one of the tourist Catholic churches on the Strip or just off the Strip while in town and said gamblers sometimes put chips in the collection trays and the priests will go around to the different casinos to cash them in for the church. If true, then the chips that were stolen could be split up among several people and cashed in at different times. Also, unrelated, is there usually a max amount that could be printed on the cashout slips for slot winnings?
My question about this whole thing is not if he can redeem the stolen chips, but where the heck was security. I can't believe the surveillance video at Bellagio is of such a poor quality. The grainy image is little to go on. You would think an establishment of that caliber would have much better technology. There also should have been guards by entrances and exits, or nearby. I remember the old days, when surly looking heavily armed guards would have loved to be present during that robbery. They would have shot first and asked questions later. I miss those days.
To "Cmon Man" obviously you haven't spent any time inside a casino lately particularly the B security is as tight as a 40 year old virgin in a room full of drunken frat boys to use a more colorful analogy; in the grey areas, suspect pandering I would also have to disagree as I once witnessed the deft handing of such delicate matters with grace and aplomb by security on visits there with the"femme de nuit" discreetly escorted away.She had the misfortune of proposition aimed at the well dressed gent in line near me who just by chance(winky) was on the eagle eye team. Many security have backgrounds in military and or law enforcement. Tolerance is 0% for anyone or anything that creates a disturbance.
If the chips are RFID'd: Each one is a unique id. So turning off the RFID on each chip requires opening the chip. Try doing that to hundreds of chips. Plus, they would know that a chip is from the heist because it does not return an id.
If they change the RFID the chances of using a duplicate number or a number higher than the Bellagio's chip is high. So they would know they have a dupe chip or a faked RFID chip.
Almost worthless.
JerseyPaulie, you make a good point. If those responsible at the Bellagio can't even get the basics of security right, adequate staffing of guards, sufficient quality of surveillance video, etc. no amount of high technology is going to help them. It may have been a budgetary thing, reducing staffing of guards at particular times of the day, without considering the risks involved. Almost like they checked their brains at the door. You know some people are freshing up their resumes over at the Bellagio in preparation for their imminent departure. I think the public is focused not on the more mundane boring aspects of routine casino security, but the ultimate question of will he get away with it and to what extent if any he will cash in his (actually the Bellagio's) chips.
Correction, sp. that should be "freshening".
Anything that needs to be done to a RF embedded chip could be done to it without mechanically opening it up with the right equipment and necessary codes. Of course only those with a need to know at the casino and/or chip manufacturer/provider know the capabilities of whatever is/was in use. Anything else is sheer speculation.
Awesome! Match and set nothing but net.
http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarke...
Interesting article cinnamongirl, but it still doesn't answer some important questions, what about the perfectly valid chips that were and are outstanding prior to the heist? How long is a series of chips in use currently good for? Until an event like this and the casino cancels all the chips outstanding? What if I have $1000 in chips from a previous visit and attempt to cash/use them etc., what is the Bellagio going to say, that they are not valid, I don't think so (unless they are really old and violate some written policy, I can't see it). Secondly, it might very well be that the $100 and below chips did not contain the RFID. I bet all the casinos go to that now, down to probably 50 if not 25. Lastly the individual quoted in the article has a bias/vested interest in putting out the notion that the chips can't be used because his company relies on the casino industry for its revenue. The casinos wouldn't want a contrary opinion put out for public consumption. I'm still not convinced.
Ron, the article did not say that in this case every chip had the RFID tag. John Kendall, the president of CHIPCO quoted in the article said,"I know the people at Bellagio well and have spoken to them" and "generally chips with a face value of $100 and above are inlaid with RFID". He also said, "it is not unheard of to have a chip down to $25 inlaid with RFID". IN NO WAY DOES THIS GUY CONFIRM THAT THE CHIPS IN THIS HEIST IN DENOMINATIONS OF $100 OR LESS WERE IN FACT INLAID WITH RFID. He also mentions that every chip in the house would be replaced with a secondary set. Doesn't sound to me like what you assert is true, that each and every chip that the individual got in the heist in question had a RFID tag (it's license plate, if you will) and it was selectively cancelled. There simply is no conclusive proof that each of these chips had a RFID. Mr. Kendall does not confirm it, just says it's possible. I suspected from the start that the higher denominations $500 and above were so equipped and are now worthless. I am still unconvinced that is the case with the lower denominations.
This was well-planned out by this person (or persons). He knew exactly when to hit the tables - ie very early in the morning when most tourists are in their rooms, the 2 bit hookers are still trying to hook up but the expensive ones are already finished for the night, the cleaning people are starting to get ready to clean. The security and table personnel were in other worlds because the casino is quiet at this time and were not paying attention. They got caught with their pants down.
And....yes you can cash in chips that are old (I had a $25 Harrah's chip that I carried in my wallet that was about 5 years old - I finally cashed it in because I needed the money!!) This guy may just keep these chips (the lower denomination ones atleast) in a suitcase in his closet for several years and then start cashing them in. Those high denom ones may end up in the Salvation Army bucket or some cash-strapped entity that helps the poor may find a plastic Walmart bag filled with those high denom chips on their doorstep one morning. Even if the B doesn't give teh entity the $25,000, a reward will certainly be forthcoming.
Sorry - should have proofed my post:
Mean to say "Even if the B doesn't give the entity the $25,000 chip...."