Why Is Card Counting Illegal and What Are the Consequences?

What Is Card Counting And Why Is It Illegal?

Card counting is illegal in all brick-and-mortar casino establishments around the world without really being against the law. If the player is not using a physical device and help from the croupier or a third party, his actions are not considered deception lawfully. However, that doesn't stop casinos from prohibiting card counting.

In short, this is an act from skilled blackjack players who try to overcome the House Edge by trying to determine which of the sides will have an advantage on the following hand. Statistically, “low cards” benefit the Dealer, while “high cards” are in favor of the player:

• High Cards - 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s
• Low Cards - 9s, 10s, As

There are different counting systems, and Hi-Lo is the most popular of them. It's based on counting the cards' given values as follows: 2s to 6s are counted as +1, 7s to 9s have 0 values, and 10s, Js, Qs, Ks, and As are counted as -1.

After this slight lyrical deviation, let's go back to the subject: Why is card counting illegal? Well, most players cheat the system by using the fact that blackjack has a very small House Edge and, therefore, a way to overcome it. Gambling facilities can lose a lot of money because of the mathematical possibility.

And since casino companies determine the rules on their territory, counting cards is not allowed. In the next sections of this comprehensive guide, you will learn more about the reasons behind the ban and what consequences those players who dare to break it will face.

Reasons Why Card Counting Is Prohibited

Casino operators are extremely careful when it comes to people capable of counting cards. They invest significant resources to prevent that and disclose all players who cheat the system. Below, you can find the most important reasons behind the persistence of companies on this matter.

Ensuring The Casino's Advantage

The House always wins in the long run, but the card counting "strategy" neutralizes the casino advantage. That, of course, is unacceptable to management, and they will do whatever is possible to maintain their reputation and the edge. Moreover, blackjack is considered a game of skill, but also of luck.

Applying a successful strategy that is not based on luck makes the game less fair from the casino's perspective. There could be many arguments about that since the operators are actually opposing such practices to protect their advantage, but that's a different story.

Safeguarding The Game's Integrity

Blackjack is fun because the winning chance is high and there are many "allowed" strategies. This makes the game less risky and attracts many players. However, skilled players who count cards spoil the fun more or less, and that may result in decreasing the game's popularity among non-counting gamblers.

Affecting Casino Profits

Well, here is the actual reason and answer to the question of why is it illegal to count cards. Simply said, companies lose money, and if everybody starts counting cards, bankruptcy is certain. Even with the ban on cheating behavior and prohibited practices, it still affects casinos severely.

According to different web sources, the profitability of blackjack tables in casino halls without automated security systems has massively decreased over the last 5 years. So, it's natural for companies to apply different methods and reduce the impact, although installing top-notch security software might cost more than the annual losses from card counting.

Deterring New Customers

Spoiling the fun and seeing the casino doing too little can cause certain players to leave. Moreover, many of them might start copying the player with the big pile of chips on their tables or switch to another game where luck is still in vogue. Players might also decide that croupiers might be cheating and lose their trust in the establishment.

Preventing Collusion And Team Tactics

Prohibiting card counting in blackjack is the most efficient method for every company to avoid team play. Collusion is when two or more players work together to overcome the casino and beat it in the long run. This will cause severe losses in profits, reputation, and credibility.

Often, several members of the team protect the "active" player or count the cards from a distance and trigger signals. Teamwork is always prohibited in gambling establishments and may even cause problems with the law. A good example is when the cheater gets help from the inside!

Minimizing Disputes And Arguments

Every reputable casino strives to maintain neat client relations and avoid conflicts on the territory and outside the halls. Whenever a player is winning big and ends a long session, operators may try to question the results. That, of course, isn't recommended as even if they win the battle in court, they will suffer serious damage to their brand identity.

So, minimizing the number of disputes and excluding the possibility of valid arguments is the best course of action. On the flip side, players can file claims against a casino that interrupts their game. Therefore, gambling companies try to restrict access to known "card counters" by blacklisting them.

Compliance With Regulations

If not restricted, the card counting practices can be seen as tactics for manipulating not only the game but also money streams. This could be against the acting gambling laws and the money-laundering regulations. A casino that is not stopping players from cutting their profits might be charged with tax crimes as well.

What Happens If You Get Caught Counting Cards?

Despite the ban on card counting at casino establishments, enthusiasts never stop trying to cheat the system. Eventually, they are caught by the security, and since this is rarely against any actual law, these players face non-legal consequences. Here are those that can really matter:

Warning or Ban

This is for the newly caught card counters, and the casino may decide to warn them as a first step. Total prohibition is usually applicable only to people with criminal backgrounds or such who have tried to cheat the casino with a very large sum of money.

Increased Surveillance and Monitoring

Players who have been suspected or previously caught counting cards are always subject to increased monitoring. You will find that someone constantly following and watching you is not the most comfortable way to have fun. Moreover, such clients are often denied privileges, and you may feel isolated.

Being Banned from the Casino

If warnings don't work, the next step is a complete ban from the casino. You will be blacklisted, and if the establishment is part of a wider network, you won't be allowed to visit any of the facilities. Furthermore, most casino companies communicate and report such cases, so this can be your "black stamp" for any gambling activities for a certain period of time or lifetime.

Loss of Membership in Players' Clubs and Special Offers

Luxury lodging, free meals and drinks, and promo tickets to major events are only part of the benefits VIPs receive. If you are even only suspected of counting cards, losing your membership is certain. Often, this may cause a serious loss of money since becoming a VIP customer is costly.

Forfeiture of Winnings

Confiscation of the winnings achieved with card counting is undoubted, although some casinos allow players to keep their cash in order to avoid prosecution. That depends on the size of the loot and the player's background. Larger companies with established gambling networks are less willing to risk their reputation.

Potential Legal Consequences

Trespassing and fraud are common legal charges against any identified card counter who has been denied access but has found a way to play. The situation can quickly escalate if the casino decides to call the respective authorities and include allegations of non-direct financial losses, such as damaged reputation, potential loss of customers, and others.

Damage to Personal Reputation

Despite the fact that counting cards is not illegal, those who are caught and legally convicted will be branded as cheaters. This will not only harm their reputation in the gambling community but may seriously affect their professional and personal lives. Often, families are not aware of the side activities of their members!

Loss of Social Interaction

Inappropriate behavior in the gambling saloons may cause a ban from all facilities managed by the casino. That may include but is not limited to bars, restaurants, VIP lounges, and show programs. This will most certainly lead to loss of social interaction and other non-fiscal consequences.

Risk of Gambling Addiction

The risk is even greater if you are not caught counting cards. Several successful sessions may significantly increase your confidence and will to gamble. In fact, one of the main reasons why casinos prohibit this type of play is to protect clients from getting mental diseases. Promoting safe and responsible gambling is a main priority nowadays!

Preserving the Element of Chance

The point of strategy gambling, including card counting, is to decrease or even fully eliminate the luck factor. The unknown and risk of loss is what attracts most gamblers. Excluding those may cause more frequent winnings but will dismiss the natural joy of betting.

Summary

Hopefully, my article managed to answer the question: why is card counting illegal? There are many theories and arguments, but I'm confident that for everyone, it is clear that the loss of profits is what drives casinos to prohibit this type of play. Moreover, the management has developed systems to recognize potential cheaters!

These signals combined indicate with fairly high accuracy which players are trying to take advantage. Modern automatic systems are programmed to track players, including their gestures, nervous tics, and even physical cues like pupil size and perspiration. Here are some behavior patterns that the player might be a cheater:

• The player isn't drinking and is too serious
• Placing low bets when the deck is negative and high bets when is winning
• Do not tip the croupier
• Placing a very low bet after the shuffle (testing the deck)
• The player is nervous and often looks at the people around him
• Watches the cards closely and mumbling

Si, in conclusion, is counting cards cheating? No, legally, that behavior is not against any law, but it is prohibited by the casinos. Since they can't call the authorities for a crime that doesn't exist, companies initially blacklist the players caught. Eventually, they will charge them with trespassing the next time banned players come to their facilities.