Machine poker

"Nestor, who posed as a 'high roller, ' frequented the casino and represented himself as a legitimate player, gaining casino employee trust by giving sizable tips and being courteous to staff. He often recounted stories of his successful winnings in Las Vegas and on more than one occasion called himself a 'professional gambler.' The Casino considered Nestor a high roller based on his deception, the substantial amount of wagers played and jackpots claimed.

Nestor's ruse required the participation of other conspirators. Chiefly involved with the group was Kerry Laverde. Laverde, believed a longtime companion of Nestor, is a former police officer with the Swissvale Borough Police in Allegheny County. Laverde posed as security for the seemingly wealthy Nestor and wore a policeman's badge when dressed in plainclothes."

It helps to have naive employees.

"Shortly after arrival, Nestor inquired about the slot machine's 'Double Up' feature to slot technician Daniel Joseph Downing, a Meadows Racetrack and Casino employee. Specifically, Nestor asked Downing to activate the machine's 'Double Up' feature, as it was deactivated at the time. Downing
indicated to Nestor that he would check the machine's settings to determine if he was able to activate this feature. Nestor expressed to Downing that he would often have slot technicians change this option on slot machines in Las Vegas, Nevada. Downing then accessed the slot machine's programming through the video menus located on the device's monitor. Upon accessing the device's programming menu, Downing was unable to locate the 'Double Up' feature in question. Nestor then offered to show Downing the location of the feature on the machine's programming menu. Downing refused Nestor direct contact with the machine, but allowed Nestor to guide him through the menu screens. Downing then located the appropriate game specific menu which enabled the 'Double Up' feature and activated it, per Nestor's request."

"Sullivan says the Meadows was 'made whole' and recovered all of the almost $480, 000 he said Nestor got from the casino's machines. More than 600 local charges against Nestor were dropped in 2011."