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Nevada authorities have extradited Shaun Benward, better known by his stage name Shaun Mistery, to face charges related to a multi-state casino cheating scheme. Benward, a former magician, allegedly used his skills in misdirection to manipulate roulette games across multiple states.
He is now facing three felony counts of fraudulent acts and three counts of conspiracy in Nevada. Authorities allege Benward distracted dealers with conversation before disputing chip placements after winning numbers were revealed. Investigators say he often worked with accomplices to pressure dealers during disputes and changed his appearance between casino visits to avoid detection.
“The NGCB remains fully committed to locating offenders, wherever they may be, to ensure they are brought to justice,” said Kristi Torgerson, chief of the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s enforcement division.
Benward’s scheme reportedly included structuring cash-outs to avoid federal reporting thresholds, making it harder for casinos to detect suspicious activity. He was previously added to Nevada’s notorious Black Book, banning him from all state casinos.
This isn’t the first time Benward has faced legal consequences. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iowa for defrauding the Grand Falls Casino of $10,000 in 2018. Since then, he accumulated charges in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Rhode Island, and Nevada for casino cheating, money laundering, and fraud.
Benward evaded authorities for seven years after his Iowa conviction before being arrested in Mississippi in 2025. His extradition to Nevada is a significant step in holding him accountable for his alleged crimes.
