Undercover ‘gambler’ reveals details of JBR casino bust

Published Wednesday, January 09, 2013

By Eman Al Baik

A Dubai police officer who went undercover to expose a gambling operation in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area, testified before the Dubai Criminal Court yesterday.

His testimony revealed an operation that was planned out down to the last detail, with point systems and cash payouts.

According to the records, the police received a tip-off that a shop in Dubai Marina was running a gambling operation.

“We checked the authenticity of the tip and then I went in under-cover,” Lieutenant Ahmad Majed, the undercover ‘gambler’, testified.

“I paid a worker there, ASM, Dh500.

“The worker programmed a gambling machine for me. I won Dh1,800 and the worker handed me a card that carried a number of points equal to the earned amount.

“I then needed to exchange the card for money.

“The police then raided the operation and confiscated 30 machines and cards used in gambling,” Lieutenant Majed testified.

The Dubai Prosecution accused IMH, 34, IAY, 39, both jobless Emiratis; RMM, 30, an Uzbek and ASM, 29, a Bangladeshi with running a gambling den.

Ten others arrested were identified as: IJW, 53, Jordanian, clerk, MAA, 49, Syrian salesman, SHM, 44, Egyptian investor, JMA, 38, retired, Emirati, ABM, 52, Syrian, policeman, YMI, 29, Syrian sales executive, KAK, 29, Syrian commercial coordinator, SAT, 42, Syrian partner, DFH, 33, Syrian partner, SSK, 54, clerk, YMK, 54, Emirati and AMH, 53, Bahraini, engineer.

ASM confessed that his role was to operate the gambling machines, collect money from clients and hand over points cards.

IMH’s role was to pay out money to gamblers who won.

RMM ran the books.

The Criminal Laboratory reported that a laptop was confiscated containing poker programmes.

The Court will issue its verdict on January 22.

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