Two involved in Bellagio cheating scheme placed in Nevada’s Black Book

November 15, 2018 8:12 PM
  • CDC Gaming Reports
November 15, 2018 8:12 PM
  • CDC Gaming Reports

Two of the four individuals who conspired to cheat a Las Vegas Strip casino out of more than $1 million between 2012 and 2014 were placed on the Nevada List of Excluded Persons Thursday by state gaming regulators.

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Anthony Granito and James Cooper, who both went to prison for their role in cheating the Bellagio at craps, were unanimously placed on the list – commonly referred to as the Black Book – which makes it illegal for a person to enter an establishment in Nevada where gaming is located.

Both Granito and Cooper spent time in prison for the scheme that used phantom “hop” bets. Cooper was a Bellagio craps dealer and Granito was a player involved in the action. When Cooper and another dealer involved in the scheme was at a craps table, Granito and another player involved would step up and mutter confusing bets amid last-second activity before the roll of the dice. They’d win no matter what the outcome.

In total, the players and dealers stole more than $1 million, according to testimony by prosecutors at sentencing in 2016.

The Nevada Gaming Commission, following a presentation by the state attorney general, said both Granito and Cooper met all the qualifications for inclusion on the List.

Both men have been released from prison and declined to attend the hearing, according to the attorney general’s office. The are now the 33rd and 34th persons listed in the Black Book.

The only way to be removed from the List is by death.