Man Kicked Out Of Md. Casino For Counting Cards
ARUNDEL MILLS, Md. (WJZ) -- A permanent ban. A Silver Spring man was kicked out of a Maryland casino after he was accused of counting cards. Now he and his attorney are considering taking legal action against the casino.
Rick Ritter has more.
WJZ spoke with the 23-year-old by phone Tuesday. He's not disputing that he was counting cards but says, "I didn't do anything illegal." He believes he was mistreated by casino staff.
From high roller to kicked off the property. Youtube video shows 23-year-old Justin Mills being escorted out of Maryland Live! casino after he was accused of counting cards while playing blackjack.
"What's going on, man?" an officer said.
"I don't know. I didn't do anything illegal," Mills replied.
On February 20, Mills claimed he was picked up at his home by a luxury service hired by Maryland Live! to usher him to the casino. The 23-year-old says about an hour into playing blackjack, security officials asked him to leave the table. Security video obtained by Mills shows him being led off the crowded flood by security when one official grabbed him by the arm and escorted him to a back room.
"Counting cards is what they're accusing you of," an officer said.
"Which is legal," Mills responded. "It is. It's legal."
Afterwards, Maryland Live! sent him a letter---which WJZ obtained---stating "As a result of your actions, you are not permitted on the premises of Maryland Live! Casino, permanently."
Mills says he's not disputing that he counts cards but his attorneys alleged in court documents that he was assaulted when a security official grabbed him by the arm.
A spokeswoman for the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's offices say a district court prosecutor reviewed the evidence and found it to be insufficient to proceed with criminal charges.
Mills has not filed a lawsuit. Rather, his allegations appear in public documents his attorney has requested seeking judicial review in Anne Arundel Circuit Court of the state's decision not to prosecute.
WJZ tried reaching out to Maryland Live! Casio for an interview but they only released a short statement, simply saying, "As a private facility, we reserve the right to refuse service or limit play of any casino customer."
"Casino's a money-making business. They're going to do what they have to do to make that money," sad Brennan Furrow.
As far as whether card counting is legal, there are few restrictions in state law. Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency says "The use of electronic or mechanical aid to count cards is forbidden in Maryland casinos. However, card counting that is done using intellectual capacity to keep track of cards is not prohibited by state law or regulation.
"He's just in there gambling like anyone else. He's playing the system for what it is. If you can count cards, good for you," Furrow said.
Mills says he still plays occasionally at other local casinos. He and his attorney are unsure on what action they'll take next, if any.
WJZ reached out to Horseshoe Casino for their regulations. They released a statement saying they're not opposed to highly skilled players visiting their casino, as long as they don't attempt to unfairly disadvantage other guests or impact the integrity of their games.
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