Casino Dealer Jailed for Stealing Chips worth $57,000

A croupier in Singapore has been jailed for 9 months after being caught stealing S$77,000 (US$57,000) in casino chips, using the proceeds of his crime to splash out on luxury goods such as a $5800 Breitling watch and Chanel earrings.

28-year old Ding Zhipeng was caught pocketing $1000 chips at the Resorts World Sentosa, the police later finding 72 of the chips and $3000 in cash at his rented room, as well as two $1000 chips hidden in his pants.

Ding’s modus operandi was to steal the chips when there were no players at his table and supervisors weren’t around, but his masterplan came a cropper when security spotted him on CCTV.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tay Jia En claimed that the now former dealer “showed premeditiation” during his crimes carried out between June and November of last year.

Ding’s defence lawyer, John Koh, stated in court that he had “resorted to improper channels” to make extra cash to help his family back in China, a claim refuted when the court heard that much of the stolen money was spent on luxury items for Ding and his girlfriend.

A $5800 Breitling watch, Balenciaga shoes and pouch, $400 Chanel earrings and iPad mini and iPhone were all listed in court documents, the convicted thief ordered to pay S$12,000 to go along with his jail term.