Star Casino worker says gambling addiction made him steal poker chips

Thursday 16th January 2020

He allowed payouts of up to $7500 to a co-accused that they were not entitled to

A young casino worker has claimed his crippling gambling addiction drove him to steal more than $90,000 worth of poker chips from his own workplace.

Star Casino supervisor Justin Ly, 23, used his senior position to facilitate payouts of cash value chips to a patron, who was in on the ruse, that he was not entitled to in August last year.

Ly pleaded guilty to 13 charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

Star Casino supervisor Justin Ly (pictured), 23, used his senior position to facilitate payouts of cash value chips to a patron, who was in on the ruse, that he was not entitled in August, 2019

After pleading guilty, Ly said that gambling addiction was 'most definitely' what made him steal, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

'When you're in that addiction mood... it made me do bad things,' Ly told the court.

Last year, Ly and a friend came up with a plan to make dealers pay out casino chips that they were not entitled to.

Since Ly was a supervisor, dealers would listen to his instructions.

On 13 occasions in August last year he payed out chips to his co-accused, most of which were worth between $7,000 and $7,500. In total, they made $90,500.

After reports of fraudulent activity, the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad's Casino and Racing Unit launched an investigation in September of last year.

On 13 occasions, Ly instructed dealers to pay out chips to his co-accused, most of which were worth between $7,000 and $7,500. In total, they made $90,500. Pictured: Star Casino

Ly's casino caper was eventually discovered and now the casino supervisor regrets ever taking part in it.

'You will have the biggest regret of your life. It's really hard to turn it around. You affect not just yourself, you affect your family, your friends ... so lesson learned,' he said out of court.

Ly is set to be sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court on February 27.

His co-accused cannot be named for legal reasons and is yet to enter a plea after being charged with the same 13 offences.

However, the man was a no-show at today's hearing because he was at work and had forgotten the matter was listed, the court heard.

After reports of fraudulent activity, the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad's Casino and Racing Unit discovered Ly's casino caper