With casino openings, Ohio girds itself for the con artists

Ohio is ready to do battle with the con artists expected to arrive with the opening of the state's first casinos next month.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has assigned 13 state investigators full time to the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, scheduled to open May 14, and similar contingents at casinos opening later in Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Agents have completed a 40-hour course that covers the rules for games such as poker or craps as well as ruses that cheats are likely to try.

"Every organized team that hits every jurisdiction will be coming to Ohio in some fashion," George Joseph, a veteran Las Vegas-based casino security consultant, told the Plain Dealer for a story. "Your money's green in Ohio.

Three or four armed agents, plus a supervisor, will be on duty at all times, but they may be hard to single out. Agents will keep guns concealed and usually dress in plain clothes, and display badges only to quell problems.

The Horseshoe will average 13,000 visitors and more than $800,000 in revenue a day, according to estimates from Rock Ohio Caesars, the joint venture that developed the Horseshoe.