The dealer was fired almost immediately after being caught
A former poker dealer at JACK Cleveland Casino in Ohio is facing charges for allegedly stealing poker chips during his shifts. He seems to have taken advantage of the trust as a worker at the gaming site, but his luck has run out.
Jason Saliba, 51, of North Olmsted, has been indicted on 14 counts of violating casino gaming laws, classified as a fifth-degree felony, along with a misdemeanor theft charge. Authorities claim Saliba pocketed chips from the pot, the collective pool of players’ wagers, during multiple games.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission began investigating Saliba after a patron reported suspicious behavior on September 6. The tip prompted casino management to review surveillance footage, which reportedly captured Saliba taking chips in five separate incidents.
He was terminated from his position the following day. Further investigations led to allegations that he had stolen on 14 occasions within a single month. The misdemeanor charge implies the total value of the stolen chips was under $1,000.
Saliba was arraigned in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and released on a personal bond. His attorney has not yet commented, and JACK Entertainment has also declined to discuss the situation. If convicted, Saliba could face a permanent ban from Ohio’s gambling venues, joining others on the state’s involuntary exclusion list.
This case marks the second instance of theft reported at the casino in recent months. Another individual, Ellis Quinn, was indicted in a separate cheating case involving craps. The Ohio Casino Control Commission continues to monitor and address gambling-related crimes. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the agency documented 24 cases of cheating at casinos statewide, half of which occurred at JACK Cleveland Casino.
The commission remains vigilant in its oversight of Ohio’s gaming establishments, emphasizing security and accountability for both patrons and employees.
