The Gulf Coast casino industry is often over-looked as the place for the gambling enthusiast. Not so for the professional thief. Here is a look at the Top 4 recent casino heists on the Gulf Coast.

1. Governor Edwin Edwards: The Louisiana Governor was convicted in 2000 on 17 federal racketeering and fraud counts. He was accused of selling $1.5 million off in riverboat licenses to the highest bidder. He’s now serving a 10-year sentence.

2. Slot Skimmers: 11 people conspired to scam slots at the Isle of Capri Casino in Lake Charles for three months in 2001. About $1 million dollars was stolen with only $700,000 recovered. In on the con were slot techs, surveillance officers, casino employees and a few outsiders.

3. The Washer:  Lake Charles drug king-pin Troy Marks bought $1.6 million in casino chips with drug money over a two-year period at eight different casinos. He lost more than $400,000, but was still able to report about $1.3 million to the IRS before getting caught in his money laundering scam.

4. The Honey Buns Bandit: On September 30th, 2003, Lynn Stevenson, a topless dancer, walked into the Grand Casino in Tunica County, Miss., carrying a gift-wrapped package. She found a cashier, demanded money and placed the box, which she claimed contained explosives, between them, then walked away with $60,000. No explosives were found in the box, just a bunch of honey buns.