Michael A. Joseph May 6, 1945 - December 31, 2025, Michael A. Joseph, a renowned international gaming specialist, casino trainer, motivational speaker, and innovator in the gaming industry, passed away peacefully on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by his loving family. He was 80 years old. Born on May 6, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Raised Catholic, he found strength and comfort in his faith throughout his life, which inspired him to see the best in people. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the 1960s, earning the National Defense Service Medal. A skilled Navy boxer, he became both ship and fleet champion. His service included a pivotal role aboard one of the ships blockading Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Among his fondest memories was his time stationed in Naples, Italy. In the 1970s, Michael worked as a salesman for the United States Playing Card Company, traveling extensively throughout the Midwest. Known for his charismatic personality, he enjoyed connecting with others on CB radio under the handle "The Hustler." A tireless entrepreneur, he frequented bars to recruit students for his classes in card mechanics, attracting many professional athletes who sought to learn protective techniques to avoid being cheated in private games. Early in his career, while based in Chicago, Michael gained hands-on experience in underground casinos, deepening his expertise in gaming mechanics and cheat detection. A master playing card mechanic, he excelled in sleight-of-hand, perfect shuffles, and identifying marked cards. His innovations included the Bee Stinger playing card design, engineered to help casino surveillance detect marked cards and sleight-of-hand cheating. The United States Playing Card Company acquired the rights to this design, which became widely used in casinos around the world. Michael's career in gaming education began in Chicago with the production of the training series "Card Sharp in Action". He later created "Beat a Cheat", a groundbreaking poker cheating detection video for a Hollywood producer that was named Gaming Video of the Year upon its release. In 1986, he relocated to Las Vegas from Chicago with his wife and three children. He worked for Steve Wynn at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, The Mirage, Treasure Island, and Golden Nugget Laughlin before establishing himself as an independent consultant for casinos worldwide. He founded Casino Trainers, offering innovative gaming videos and seminars, and later launched TrainingInGaming.com, an online platform providing specialized training for Casino Surveillance and Table Games professionals, in collaboration with his sons, Michael and William. An accomplished author, Michael, wrote 17 books on gaming-related topics, sharing his vast knowledge to protect the industry and educate professionals. A devoted fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, and Notre Dame Football, Michael cherished his Midwestern roots while thriving in the entertainment capital of the world. Michael met the love of his life, Wilma Eileen Goff (whom he affectionately called Willy), in Cincinnati while on Navy leave. They married within three months, building a lifelong partnership f illed with adventure and family. Wilma preceded him in death on March 25, 2025, as did his brother William Mason, who passed in 2009. He is survived by his children: Michelle "Pumpkin" (Johnny) Sosa, Michael W. (Jennifer) Joseph, and William M. (Jodi Cardia) Joseph; his beloved grandchildren: Travis Sosa, Trevor (Taylor) Sosa, Jeremy Joseph, Tatiana (Eric Linares) Sosa, Jema Joseph, William Joseph, Cole Joseph, and Hailey Lombardo; and his great-grandchildren: Tristan Sosa, Tegan Frise, and Tenzley Linares. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Martha Mason; nephews Rick Mason, William Mason, and Chris Kincer; and niece Julie Kincer. Michael's legacy as a pioneer in gaming protection, a dedicated family man, and a larger-than-life personality will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He lived with passion, skill, and an unwavering commitment to his craft and loved ones. A memorial service will take place in March or April at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial in Boulder City, he will be buried with his wife Wilma Eileen Joseph. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.