A casino dealer and two patrons were arrested Friday morning after allegedly conspiring to defraud a local resort-casino of approximately P750,000 through a fraudulent card-exposure scheme during a high-stakes poker game.

The suspects face criminal complaints for estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, specifically for resorting to fraudulent practices to ensure success in a gambling game.

According to Pasay City Police, the incident occurred at around 3:53 p.m. Thursday at an Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em poker table. The casino’s surveillance department first detected the irregularity via security cameras and alerted the safety and security unit.

The establishment’s management conducted an internal investigation and security verification before making a citizen’s arrest and reporting the matter to Pasay Police Sub-Station 9 at around 3 a.m. Friday.

Initial investigations revealed that the casino dealer allegedly conspired with three patrons during the gaming session.

Surveillance footage showed the dealer intentionally and repeatedly exposing his concealed hole cards and unrevealed community cards to the players while the game was in progress, police said.

The premature disclosure of the confidential card information allowed the players to determine the outcome of each hand, adjust their wagers accordingly, and secure unlawful winnings.

In one documented instance, the dealer allegedly exposed the critical “turn” community card and one of his hole cards, giving the bettors advance knowledge that their hands would win.

Authorities estimated the casino’s total losses at P750,000. One alleged accomplice managed to evade security personnel during the initial intervention and remains at large.