Pasay police took into custody a casino dealer and two business patrons on Friday morning after they were caught allegedly conspiring to defraud a resort-casino of approximately P750,000 through a fraudulent card-exposure scheme during a high-stakes poker game.

The suspects are facing criminal complaints for violation of Article 315, Paragraph 3(b) of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa by Resorting to Fraudulent Practices to Ensure Success in a Gambling Game).

The incident occurred around 3:53 p.m. at an Ultimate Texas Hold'Em Poker table inside a resort-casino located at Pasay City. The matter was formally reported to Pasay Police Sub-Station 9 at around 3 a.m. on 3 July 2026, following an extensive internal investigation and security verification conducted by the establishment's management.

Initial investigation disclosed that the assigned casino dealer allegedly conspired with three patrons during a gaming session. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the dealer intentionally and repeatedly exposing his concealed hole cards and unrevealed community cards to the bettors while the games were ongoing.

The premature disclosure of confidential card information enabled the players to determine the outcomes of each hand, strategically adjust their wagers, and obtain unlawful winnings at the expense of the casino.

In one documented instance, the dealer allegedly exposed the critical "Turn" community card and one of his hole cards, giving the players advance knowledge that their hands would prevail. One remaining accomplice managed to evade the initial security intervention and remains at large.

The irregularity was first detected by the establishment's Surveillance Department through CCTV monitoring, prompting immediate coordination with its Safety and Security Unit.

Security personnel subsequently approached the suspects, conducted verification, and effected a citizen's arrest. Responding police officers escorted the arrested individuals to the Pasay City General Hospital for mandatory physical examination before turning them over to the Investigation and Detective Management Section for proper processing.

The suspects will be presented for e-inquest proceedings before the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office.