A Wichita man who worked at the Kansas Star Casino is now facing several criminal charges after state investigators accused him of running an illegal proxy betting operation inside the Sumner County facility.
Attorney General Kris W. Kobach announced Tuesday (February 24) that Quoc “Kevin” Phu Lam, 47, had been arrested following an investigation into what authorities describe as proxy betting. According to court filings, investigators believe Lam acted as a go-between, placing wagers for other people instead of those individuals making bets themselves.
Prosecutors say the activity happened while Lam was employed at the casino in Mulvane. Rather than simply placing his own wagers, authorities allege he accepted money from coworkers and others and then made bets on their behalf, a practice that runs afoul of Kansas gambling law.
Investigators further claim Lam attempted to bring at least one other casino employee into the arrangement. Court documents state he tried to recruit the coworker to help collect money connected to the wagers.
Charges against Wichita man outline alleged proxy betting operation at Kansas casino
Lam has been formally charged in Sumner County District Court with two counts of commercial gambling. He also faces one count of unlawful wagering involving proxy betting, one count of attempted unlawful wagering via proxy betting and one count of solicitation to commit commercial gambling.
After his arrest, Lam posted a $25,000 surety bond and was released from custody, according to court records. His next appearance in court is set for March 12.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Lauren Watson. Agents with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission conducted the investigation that led to the charges.
Under Kansas law, acting as a proxy bettor is prohibited. The law bars individuals from placing wagers on behalf of others when the intent is to share in profits or otherwise sidestep state gambling regulations. Commercial gambling outside specifically authorized activities is also illegal.
State officials say licensed casinos operate under strict rules that define who can place bets and how wagering must be conducted. When someone steps in to place bets for others, authorities argue, it undermines the regulatory system designed to monitor gambling activity.
Kobach’s office pointed to the case as an example of coordination between prosecutors and state gaming regulators. Officials say such cooperation is aimed at making sure gambling at licensed facilities stays within the bounds of Kansas statutes.
While the announcement comes amid other enforcement actions involving gambling in Kansas, authorities have not said whether this case is connected to any wider investigation.
As with any criminal case, Lam is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. State officials routinely encourage anyone with information about suspected gambling violations to contact law enforcement or appropriate regulatory agencies.
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The post Wichita man accused of running proxy betting scheme at Kansas casino appeared first on ReadWrite.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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