A couple from Kazakhstan is at the centre of a major investigation in Sydney after authorities alleged they used covert devices to obtain more than AU$1.17 million in illicit casino winnings. Police say the pair visited Crown Sydney repeatedly across October and November after arriving from Kazakhstan, accumulating an unusually large profit at table games before staff intervened.

Devices Found After Suspicious Wins

Casino employees noticed the woman wearing a shirt modified to conceal a tiny camera, prompting security to alert New South Wales Police. Officers arrested the 36-year-old woman and her 44-year-old husband soon after the discovery. Police stated they found a pinhole camera embedded in a Mickey Mouse or Disney-style graphic shirt, along with batteries, a mobile phone adapted for discreet image capture, and a mirror attachment believed to assist in viewing cards during play.

Investigators allege the couple used these devices to quietly record card tables and transmit the footage to their phones. Officers say the pair wore deep or hidden earpieces through which they were instructed on how to wager. According to police accounts from the materials, the setup enabled them to gain information on opponents’ cards during sessions of card games, contributing to winnings of AU$1,179,412.

Police also reported seizing casino chips, high-end jewellery and €2,000 during a later search of their accommodation on Kent Street. Both individuals were charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, and authorities refused bail. Court dates have been set for December and February.

Allegations Detailed Across Related Cases

Information provided in the materials also outlines another case reported around the same period involving a Kazakh couple accused of using comparable technology during high-stakes Texas Hold’em sessions. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, police in that case alleged that a pinhole camera in a Mickey Mouse-style shirt transmitted footage to an associate outside the venue, who then reviewed the images with poker-solving software. Investigators stated that instructions were relayed back through a concealed earpiece, resulting in AU$450,000 in winnings on the first night, AU$320,000 on the next, and AU$410,000 during subsequent sessions.

Those involved in that matter were charged with fraud-related offences, including obtaining money by deception and using unauthorised devices on gaming premises. Bail was denied due to concerns they might leave the country. Police indicated that the methods reflected cheating operations documented in other major casino hubs, and they reviewed links to contacts in Southeast Asia connected to poker software development. Crown Resorts reportedly suspended poker temporarily after the arrests and enhanced its monitoring systems.

New South Wales Police emphasized the importance of coordination between casino security teams and investigators. Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said, “Our detectives collaborate closely with casino security to identify and disrupt unlawful behaviour. This strong cooperation is vital to maintaining the integrity of gaming operations and is reflected in outcomes like this.”

Crown Casino operates under rules that restrict certain forms of gaming, including a ban on poker machines under the terms of its licence with the state government. The venue had recently renovated its gaming floor in an effort to attract higher-spending visitors. Previous reports noted that the casino had explored lobbying efforts for legislative change relating to cashless poker machines, though the government stated that no changes would be considered.

The investigation into the alleged cheating continues, with police examining digital evidence and the recovered devices to determine the full scope of the scheme. Both individuals remain in custody as court proceedings progress.