Pennsylvania Police: Ultimate Texas Hold’em Player Used Sleight of Hand
Posted on: July 28, 2025, 08:16h.
Last updated on: July 28, 2025, 09:55h.
- Police in Pennsylvania say a man cheated Hollywood Casino at The Meadows
- Law enforcement alleges the man used a sleight of hand maneuver
- If guilty, the individual faces seven years in prison
Pennsylvania State Police arrested and charged a 25-year-old man from Washington County on allegations that he cheated while playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Brando Castaneda, 25, is alleged to have used a sleight of hand technique while playing the poker card game at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in North Strabane Township. The casino is operated by Penn Entertainment.
Police say casino security noticed Castaneda moving cards between hands while seated at an Ultimate Texas Hold ’em table. According to Castaneda’s charging documents, law enforcement alleges that he moved cards between his hands to form a winning hand or one with a larger payout.
The casino’s eye in the sky reportedly tracked Castaneda winning almost $18,500 over 31 rounds of play. Castaneda was arrested and later charged with third-degree felony theft by deception — false impression.
A person found guilty of such an offense in Pennsylvania faces a prison sentence of up to seven years and fines of up to $15K.
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows has about 65 live-dealer table games that are operational 24 hours per day from Friday through Monday, and from 9 am until 4 am Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Ongoing Cases
Pennsylvania court records show that Castaneda was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Aug. 30, 2024. He was charged with two misdemeanors for DUI: highest rate of alcohol (BAC .16+), 1st offense, and DUI: general impairment.
Castaneda’s DUI matter is ongoing, as he’s failed to adhere to court orders and face the intoxicated driving charges. Earlier this month, a Washington County Court judge issued a bench warrant for Castaneda’s arrest.
A bench warrant is a court order, issued by a judge, directing law enforcement to arrest an individual for failing to comply with a court order. Court records don’t list an attorney for Castaneda in either case.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Act stipulates that it is unlawful for an individual to “knowingly, by a trick or sleight of hand performance or by fraud or fraudulent scheme, or manipulation, table game device or other device, or interactive gaming device for himself or for another, win or attempt to win any cash, property or prize at a licensed facility or to reduce or attempt to reduce a losing wager.”
Sleight of Hand Tricks Have Harsher Penalties in Asia
While Castaneda is facing up to seven years behind bars for his alleged Ultimate Texas Hold’em scheme, a person found guilty of such an offense in Asia faces considerably harsher penalties.
Last fall, Casino.org reported on a table game dealer at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore who was facing 25 years in prison for poaching money from the casino. Law enforcement said a 35-year-old croupier used a sleight of hand maneuver to pocket chips from the table game that were rightfully the casino’s into his pants pocket.
Oumnakil Thanakorn, a migrant from Thailand who had worked at the Genting property for about two years, pleaded guilty to the theft. In exchange for his admission of guilt, prosecutors and the court agreed to a much lighter sentence of 12 to 14 months in prison and his deportation back to Thailand upon release.
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