- A table game dealer at Hollywood Casino York is accused of theft
- Pennsylvania police allege the dealer pocketed gaming chips
- The dealer was recently arrested for DUI
A Pennsylvania casino dealer has seemingly hit rock bottom. Â
Law enforcement in York, PA, where Penn Entertainment owns and operates Hollywood Casino York, alleges that a table game dealer stole from his employer. The Pennsylvania State Police arrested and charged Eric Sagnor, 42, of Paradise, on Aug. 8 with third-degree felony theft and misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property and intent to defraud/cheat.
Police were tipped off to Sagnor’s alleged actions by casino security, which was informed by employees that their colleague might have had his hand in the cookie jar.
The police complaint says Sagnor’s fellow workers told security officers that they discovered a gaming chip in a breakroom where such chips shouldn’t be. When security approached Sagnor, he reportedly kept one of his hands clenched before putting it in his pocket and “clearing his hands,” a practice dealers undergo to show they’re not hiding chips.
A review of the casino’s surveillance video over the past month allegedly captured Sagnor pocketing thousands of dollars in gaming chips. Casino security and police believe he stole around $7,875.
Dealer Downfall
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has various conditions for a person to receive a casino dealer license. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have undergone dealer training and hold a certificate for the games they seek to deal, and undergo a background check. A felony conviction within the past 15 years disqualifies an applicant.
An evaluation of the person’s reputation and integrity can, too. Sagnor’s suitability has gone downhill rapidly in recent months.
Pennsylvania court records show Sagnor was convicted of driving under the influence this summer. The incident additionally included careless driving. In 2022, Sagnor was convicted of careless driving resulting in damage to an unattended vehicle. Police say he failed to timely notify law enforcement of the accident. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to harassment.
Sagnor’s downfall was made evident by the fact that after his Aug. 8 arrest, he couldn’t post $5,000 bail. Court records show he used a professional bondsman to get out of jail.
Sagnor’s preliminary hearing is slated for tomorrow, Aug. 22.
Possible PunishmentÂ
The odds are good that Sagnor’s casino table game dealing days are over. His freedom is in jeopardy, too.
Pennsylvania law provides for a person found guilty of a third-degree theft felony to be punished with up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. However, since third-degree theft felonies include thefts ranging from $2,000 to $100,000, and Sagnor’s alleged crime was on the lower end of that range, he could face a much lighter sentence.
“The Offense Gravity Score and Prior Record Score are numerical values that are combined together to help judges find sentencing ranges. The OGS measures the seriousness of the crime committed. The PRS is an indication of the individual’s previous criminal record,” explained Fienman Defense, a law firm in Philadelphia.
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