Encore Casino Dealer and Player Convicted in Baccarat Cheating Scheme

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced Friday that a Middlesex County jury found Encore Boston Harbor Casino baccarat dealer Jianming Li of Delaware and baccarat player Jun Na Zhang of New York guilty on two counts each of cheating and swindling more than $1,000 and one count each of larceny over $1,200 by single scheme.

Encore Boston Harbor Casino baccarat player Jun Na Zhang won $15,000 in the cheating scheme

According to the indictments, the cheating scheme occurred on two different dates: in late October and in early November 2019. The incidents occurred in the high limit section of the Encore Boston Harbor Casino.

The scheme involved Li fanning and exposing cards to himself, memorizing the sequence of cards, and then communicating that sequence to Zhang.

Furthermore, Zhang’s illegal winnings on the two nights were approximately $15,000. At sentencing, the Court imposed a 364-day committed house of correction sentence.

Li was suspended for two years and has to serve a 364-day committed housing of correction split sentence. He must serve six months in the house of correction. Zhang was suspended for two years as well.

Investigation was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police’s Gaming Enforcement Unit

Additionally, the investigation was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police’s Gaming Enforcement Unit at Encore Boston Harbor Casino. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the AGO’s Gaming Enforcement Division (GED), and the Massachusetts State Police were involved.

The Encore Boston Harbor Casino was also cooperative in the investigation. This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Brian Pearly and Joseph Posner, both of the AGO’s Gaming Enforcement Division.

The GED is charged with enforcing the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011. The Division investigates and prosecutes illegal activity such as gaming-related financial crime, organized crime, corruption, and money laundering.

Encore Boston Harbor Casino is a luxury waterfront resort accessible by land and sea. It is conveniently located just minutes from Logan International Airport. These iconic landmarks surround the facility: Boston’s famed Back Bay, Seaport, Financial and Theater Districts, Cambridge’s Harvard University, and M.I.T.