The Texas Card House Dallas has foiled a plot to introduce counterfeit chips into their cardroom and warned players to “avoid trading or buying chips”
Sources have claimed that those behind the counterfeit chip plan have been identified and reported to the authorities but it is unclear whether chips made their way into the TCH Dallas games.
According to reports, the culprits were caught almost as soon as they attempted their brazen fraudulent scheme. The counterfeiters attempted to introduce the fake chips by sending people into the club in order cash them.
“We caught it almost immediately. We have several checks in place, claimed the PokerNews’ source, adding: “We know who it is. We caught them.”
The scam was foiled despite the chips being described as “highly convincing” and the club reportedly now plans to change their existing poker chips to RFID chips as a security upgrade.
“We care about your safety and the integrity of our games. Recently, we’ve come across some counterfeit chips in the DFW area,” wrote the TCH Dallas on their Facebook page. “To protect yourself and ensure a fair play experience, please avoid trading or buying chips from individuals.”
Paying the Price
Under Texas Penal Code §32.23, those responsible for the scam face potential felony charges.
The Code defines trademark counterfeiting, which includes using counterfeit poker chips bearing a casino’s trademark to deceive or defraud. A serious offense, felony penalties may be incurred if the value of the counterfeits is over $2,500.
This could lead to 180 days to two years in state jail, as well as a maximum fine of $10,000. For greater amounts, the culprits face even stricter penalties.
The TCH reminded its patrons: “Remember, the only way you should get your chips is to purchase and cash them in directly at one of our Texas Card House clubs. This way, you can guarantee their authenticity and help protect the integrity of the DFW [Dallas Fort Worth] poker community.”
Texas Card House own and operate six separate clubs in the state, in Austin, Dallas, Las Colinas, Rio Grande, Spring and Houston. The Texas Card House Dallas hit the headlines a few years ago when a bureaucratic ‘Revocation of Licence’ blip had the entire Texan poker community worried.
Fortunately, that has since been corrected, and poker in the state has since thrived, despite typically operating a social club membership system, with fees in place of the rake.
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