Crazy Gambling Stories From November

The gambling world can sometimes produce really off-the-wall stories. Every month there are plenty of cases of individuals going to extreme lengths to pay back debts, or of simply bizarre behavior at casino properties around the globe. It can be entertaining and sometimes sad.

November was no exception, as there was plenty that happened in the casino world.

Here’s a look at some of the most colorful and noteworthy from the month that was.

Police Arrest 90-Year-Old Georgia Woman For Allegedly Running Illegal Home Poker Game

Running a poker game from her house has landed a 90-year-old Georgia woman in jail on gambling charges, according to reporting from wbtv.com. The woman, Mary Morgan, set the record for the oldest person to ever be put into the Dougherty County jail. Police held a press conference after the raid and expressed pride in their efforts that led to a 90-year-old behind bars. It took multiple Georgia agencies two entire months to crack down on the small-stakes game, which allegedly included the illegal selling of alcohol and tobacco.

Cop Busted For Protecting $1 Million Poker Game

A former police officer in Tennessee has pleaded guilty to taking cash for helping transport $1 million that he thought was being used for an underground, high-stakes poker game at a local hotel. It turned out that the game and the cash were part of a FBI sting. Former Deputy Sheriff Robbie Flood took $550 for helping escort the money for people he thought were out-of-state gamblers. He was wearing his uniform and used his police vehicle. Flood also requested to be compensated for gas, according to court documents.

Cleveland Cop Accused Of Stealing Lotto Tickets

A handful of cops in the city of Cleveland have been suspended for gambling on the job. One of them also didn’t pay the gas station for the lottery tickets he took. According to Cleveland.com, the cops were suspended without pay after a months-long internal investigation. The suspensions range from six to 30 days. Some reportedly are saying the suspensions are too harsh. The Cleveland Police Patrolman’s Association president said that the gas station got annoyed that one of the cops wasn’t paying his lotto tab.

Former High-Stakes Poker Player Receives Probation For Marking Cards At California Casino

Archie Karas, the man who ran up a multi-million-dollar bankroll playing poker in the early 1990s, received probation this month for cheating at blackjack to the tune of $6,860, according to a report from utsandiego.com. Just three years after amassing $40 million, Karas was sitting broke in 1995. His tale is considered to be the largest gambling upswing ever documented. Karas pleaded guilty to marking cards in a gambling session at California’s Barona Casino last year.

Former Casino Worker Was Fired, Lost License For Failing To Pay For $1.84 Red Bull

A former casino worker in Cleveland, Ohio is seeking help from the court system after he was fired and lost his dealer’s license for taking a Red Bull valued at $1.84 from the casino’s break room and not paying for it. When confronted, he said he thought he paid for it but that the transaction must have been accidentally voided somehow, court documents said, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Jose Canseco’s Finger Falls Off During Poker Game

He must have been holding a weak hand. Jose Canseco said that his damaged finger fell off onto the felt during a poker tournament in Las Vegas. Last month, the former MLB slugger accidentally shot himself in the finger while trying to clean a gun.

Michigan Man Gets 5-15 Years For Killing Brother Who Was Accused Of Cheating In Poker Game

A man in Flint, Michigan has received 5-15 years for involuntary manslaughter in the death of his brother, which stemmed from cheating allegations in their home poker game. According to mlive.com, 45-year-old Andre Lamar Moore will spend at least seven years in prison after pleading no contest for the Oct. 2013 crime. Participants in the game caught Moore’s brother cheating and the game was ended. Later, a confrontation between the Moore brothers resulted in the death of Jeffery Bernard Moore.

Chef Pleads Guilty To Theft After Gambling Away $106,000 Bank Accidentally Gave Him

A chef in New Zealand has been sentenced to probation for gambling away $106,000 that a bank accidentally put into his account, according to stuff.co.nz. Despite the bank screwing up, he opted to plead guilty to stealing in order to get “community dentition.” He must also repay the money. According to the report, he has managed to scrape together $2,250 over the past three months. At that rate, he will be in debt to the bank for the next 11 years. He has been ordered to pay back at least $150 a week.

DNA Evidence Links Top Military Official To Counterfeit Poker Chips

What would land most in prison for years resulted in a simple demotion this summer for a former U.S. nuclear weapons commander. New details in the case leave little doubt that he did in fact counterfeit the poker chips and used them at an Iowa casino, according to a report from Omaha.com. Pottawattamie County prosecutor Matt Wilber said this month that DNA evidence was found that heavily suggests Navy Rear Adm. Timothy Giardina, known as “Navy Tim” in the poker room, actually made the three phony $500 chips and put them in play in a cash game.

Pennsylvania Man Loses Paycheck At Casino, Robs Bank, Resumes Gambling Session

After receiving his paycheck for hours upon hours spent cutting up meat, 46-year-old Michael McDonough went to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and dusted it all off. He left the casino and drove around for a number of hours trying to figure out how to get back in action. He decided to rob a PNC Bank location and after doing so he immediately went to nearby Mount Airy Casino. He told police all of that, according to pennlive.com.

Pro Golfer Claims His Former Lawyer Stole $3 Million From Him To Help Pay Off Gambling Debts

A golfer is suing his former attorney and his law firm for allegedly stealing $3 million from him that was supposed to be an investment. Dustin Johnson’s former attorney, Nathan “Nat” Hardwick, has been accused of blowing the money on gambling debts, among other things. Actually, Hardwick allegedly misappropriated $30 million altogether, which he denies.

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