LOS ANGELES — On April 15, 2026, California Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Gambling Control special agents arrested a Southern California card dealer at The Gardens Casino in Hawaiian Gardens, for grand theft.  The dealer is accused of stealing more than $15,000 in gaming chips.

“When someone entrusted with maintaining fairness in a card room instead stacks the decks for themselves, they must be held accountable,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “This case is an excellent example of good investigative work and a timely arrest. Gaming must be conducted with integrity and transparency.” 

In March 2026, DOJ received information that a cardroom dealer was suspected of stealing gaming chips from The Gardens Casino. Investigators reviewed pertinent information and worked with cardroom staff.   The name of the dealer was not released.

“We don’t often hear about the work conducted by California DOJ special agents in the Bureau of Gambling Control, but they do important work to investigate corruption and crimes connected to gambling in California,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.