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Former Bellagio Craps Dealers Accused Of Siphoning $1M From Casino

Two former craps dealers at the Bellagio and two of their friends are being accused of siphoning more than $1 million off gambling tables over nearly two years by quietly paying phantom bets.

A prosecutor said Thursday that James Cooper Jr. and Mark Branco were fired by the Bellagio after the scheme became known and they were arrested in July 2014.

A 60-count indictment filed Wednesday accuses Cooper, Branco, Jeffrey Martin and Anthony Granito of cheating at gambling and theft. Both charges are felonies, and could get the men decades in prison.

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Attorneys for the four men didn't immediately respond to messages.

Prosecutor J.P. Ramen says Cooper is cooperating with the investigation.

Ramen says the scheme unraveled when another dealer became suspicious and notified casino investigators.