- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Larchwood Today
By the People, for the People
Rock Rapids Man Accused of Attempting to Claim Casino Jackpot With Brother's ID
Authorities say Blaz Medal tried to collect a $1,500 slot machine jackpot using his sibling's identification.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:21pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A recent casino fraud incident highlights the need for robust security measures to protect the integrity of gambling operations.Larchwood TodayA 39-year-old man from Rock Rapids, Iowa has been arrested on a felony gambling charge after allegedly trying to claim a $1,500 slot machine jackpot at Grand Falls Casino near Larchwood using his brother's identification. According to a criminal complaint, Blaz Medal played the slot machine and won the jackpot, but when he went to collect the winnings, he presented his brother's ID instead of his own.
Why it matters
This case highlights the issue of identity fraud and theft, particularly in the context of gambling and casino operations. Casinos have strict policies around verifying patron identities to prevent such incidents, and this arrest demonstrates their efforts to uphold these rules and protect their business.
The details
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation alleges that when casino staff discovered the discrepancy between Medal's identity and the ID he provided, he claimed he had left his own ID and passport at home. However, authorities say Medal's brother was not present at the casino. The DCI agent also stated that Medal owes over $10,000 in 'offsets', though the nature of these offsets is unclear.
- The incident occurred at Grand Falls Casino near Larchwood, Iowa in late March 2026.
- Medal was arrested on a warrant on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The players
Blaz Medal
A 39-year-old man from Rock Rapids, Iowa who was arrested and charged with a felony gambling offense for allegedly trying to claim a casino jackpot using his brother's identification.
Grand Falls Casino
A casino located near Larchwood, Iowa where the alleged incident took place.
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
The state law enforcement agency that filed the criminal complaint against Blaz Medal.
What they’re saying
“Medal played a slot machine and physically pushed the button, but when he went to claim the $1500 jackpot, he attempted to do so using his brother's ID. Casino staff say they discovered the discrepancy, and called him on it, and that's when he said he left his ID and passport at home.”
— DCI Agent
What’s next
Medal is being held in the Lyon County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. A court date has not yet been set for his case.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of casinos maintaining strict identity verification procedures to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of their gaming operations. It also highlights the potential legal consequences individuals can face for attempting to unlawfully claim gambling winnings.
