Nevada Considers Blacklisting Casino Chip Thief

In an effort to ensure that certain individuals cannot set foot in any of Nevada's casinos, the state has established a "black book" containing the names of patrons who are permanently banned from these establishments. To make it onto this list, individuals must meet specific criteria, such as receiving a court ban or having a felony conviction.

During a recent meeting of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), a new addition to the blacklist was proposed. Neal Ahmed Hearne, a person convicted of stealing casino chips several years ago, may become the 37th individual to be permanently banned from all Nevada casinos. This announcement was made by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

During the NGCB meeting, John Michela, Senior Deputy Attorney General, presented video evidence of Hearne's audacious chip thefts. In the footage, Hearne can be seen swiftly grabbing chips from casino tables and making a quick getaway. This criminal behavior wasn't limited to a single incident; Hearne was involved in similar unsophisticated crimes across more than a dozen casinos in Clark County. Consequently, Michela argued that Hearne should be added to the state's black book, ensuring he cannot enter any casino in Nevada.

Kirk Hendrick, NGCB's chairman, expressed his shock upon witnessing Hearne's actions on video. He emphasized the brazenness and prolific nature of Hearne's criminal activities. Given Hearne's felony conviction, which meets the criteria for inclusion in the blacklist, the NGCB voted unanimously to nominate him for permanent exclusion from all Nevada casinos.

With the nomination in place, Hearne will have the opportunity to defend himself. The Nevada Gaming Commission will officially decide whether to add him to the blacklist following a formal hearing in which he will be invited to participate.