Croupiers under investigation

Press, 5 June 1978, Page 8

Croupiers under investigation

Nice The twilight world of croupiers has been thrown into the spotlight recently with a police probe into an alleged SNZ4.7M casino swindle. To the average man, a croupier is probably as much a part of the glittering exclusive world reserved for the wealthy few as the player in evening dress standing on the other side of the gaming table.

But casino staff do not see themselves that way and in defending themselves against the current scandal many of their other concerns have emerged.

Details of dishonest ploys which have come to light include planted accomplices who collect at roulette after the croupier skilfully switches their bets in the excitement as the ball falls. This swindle is known as the “baron” system. Win-

nings are split later with the crooked croupier. But such tricksters are the exception in the profession, representatives of the croupiers are at pains to point out. Recent police inquiries have also centred on charges of Mafia involvement in gambling in France, with allegations that ransom money from the booming Italian kidnapping “industry” is being “laundered” in French casinos.

Marc Blondel, general secretary of the Force Ouvriere union which represents 90 per cent of France’s 38,000 croupiers, revealed at a European croupiers and casino workers’ meeting that the staff are not entirely free from self-doubts about their chosen employment. “Croupiers are no more satisfied with their jobs than workers in arms factories or salesgirls who promote perfumes they could never afford themselves,” he said.

But gambling exists and gives croupiers a chance of earning their living, Mr Blondel added. One of the main worries of French casino staff at present is the gradual incursion of Amerjcanstyle automated gambling.

The most obvious reason is that modernisation threatens croupiers’ liveli-hood—-their earnings come solely from the tips they receive from players. But Mr Blondel also pointed to more altruistic reasons.

The select atmosphere of casinos at present tends to keep away those people who cannot afford to lose, he argued. But the American machines, where, for

instance, blackjack games can be played in rapid succession on a television screen would appeal to all social classes, including the poorest. Another American innovation the profession is fighting is women croupiers. The union, while accepting the idea in principle, fears that the market will be saturated.

Again the self-doubts of the profession emerged when Mr Blondel referred to his members’ views oh this proposition. To be a constant suspect, handling fortunes wearing a humiliating costume with pockets sewn up, was below the dignity of a woman, according to the croupiers. As to earnings, croupiers are nowhere near as wealthy as popular legend would have them, the union representative said. In the best gambling houses they could earn up to SNZI497 a month. But

some earned only SNZ64I, had to pay their own social security contributions and depended on the seasonal nature of the work, Mr Blondel said. Croupiers are investigated annually and their earnings minutely examined by the police gambling squad. They need special authorisation to practise their profession and this can be refused without explanation. It is this rigorous screening process which enabled police to uncover the alleged fraud at the four-year-old Ruhl Casino. So" far 10 people have been arrested, including nine croupiers employed at Ruhl. Sources close to the inquiry have said that more arrests are likely soon and that estimates of the croupiers’ haul are growing as more facts come to light. For the majority of French croupiers the legislation covering their job safeguards not only public money but the honour of the profession.

By

ALAIN FAUDEUX,

through NVZPA

of Agence-France-Presse,