Thieves often target casinos and other poker machine venues because money is always being pumped into gaming machines and table games. They usually use brute force to open machines or find a way to steal keys to the games, but one inventive criminal took a unique approach – using gum. On July 9, Paramasiven Moodley, visited the poker machine area of SkyCity Auckland.
He played what authorities refer to as a ‘chewing gum type substance’ over the hole where coins are dispensed. He then waited for a patron to play the game. When the player would win, the coins would become jammed. After they left, Moodley removed the substance and collected the coins that had been trapped. He carried out the same process for three other machines at the casino.
This week, Moodley pleaded guilty to one charge of cheating in a casino. He acknowledged that he had knowingly violated the casinos rules, and he was required to pay a since worth $500. His court costs were $130. The amount of money he had stolen from the machines is not known. Local authorities noted that they had never seen someone commit this type of theft before.
While many people cheat at casinos every year, no one has ever used gum to jam a poker machine. Normally, when players steal from pokies, they use crowbars to pry games open or have stolen keys to the games from a staff member. So, Moodley’s method was truly unique. This crime may make a good case for introducing cashless gambling systems into casinos in New Zealand.
SkyCity would not reveal whether or not Moodley has been banned from the property. However, it is safe to assume that he is no longer welcome at SkyCity Auckland after attempting to cheat the casino and other players out of money.
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