How the concepts behind the loss limit may help an entire country

Sometimes we take for granted the great protections we have here for Missouri Families and residents. We have shown in the past how the $500 loss limit can curb crime in our state by preventing money laundering and organized crime which helps drive drug dealers, criminals and even terrorist out of the state. And we have also shown how the loss limit provides the necessary check for enforcing the Disassociated Persons List and thus protects problem gamblers. Now it looks like the idea of tracking wins and losses through loyalty reward cards is catching on in Canada. The Victorian Times is reporting that they have a severe problem with both problem gamblers and money laundering and may have a solution

Both the money-laundering issue and the ongoing problem-gambling issue could be addressed by implementing a mandatory access card system in casinos (or, in more positive terms, customer loyalty cards with preferential odds).

Such a system would link deposits and winnings to individuals, allowing an independent monitoring body to identify persons who might be potential problem gamblers or money launderers. With such a system in place, the casinos and government would have to take more responsibility for helping problem gamblers (through counseling resources and access restriction programs).

The problem is that both the casinos and governments, working together to take peoples money, make such change difficult and the people of Canada are worried such problems will never be addressed. The article continues

Allowing a close examination of casino revenue is a problem for casinos and governments, because a significant portion of revenue from electronic gambling machines comes from heavy gamblers and any actions to address problem gambling and money laundering might reduce revenue.

We cannot simply pretend that casino revenue is just an entertainment tax or a tax on the innumerate. We have a problem with our casinos that is begging to be addressed and a relatively straightforward solution.

This scenario is all too common both here at home and abroad. However, we should hold our head high, as we have been willing to stand up to government here in Missouri and protect our families through our $500 loss limit. If we can stay strong and keep supporting loss limits here, who knows what kind of impact such resolve could have for an entire country!!!

Missouri’s Loss Limit Keeps the Criminal Element Out…Again!

There are many reasons to support Missouri’s $500 loss limit, however, one of the most overlooked and forgotten reasons for its support is because it is an effective tool for law enforcement officials. The loss limit provides Missourians with unique protection from organized crime and money laundering.

A perfect example of such protections comes from the St Louis Post Dispatch. They reported the story of man who stole $1.6 million from investors in a pyramid scheme and then later robbed at least three banks when the money went dry. What’s interesting to note is that the man made rounds at the casinos in both Atlantic City and the Casino Queen in East St Louis.

He was caught in Kentucky robbing banks and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering, was sentenced to five years in prison and he was ordered to pay $3 million in restitution.

Because of Missouri’s loss limit he was unable to launder any of the money through our casinos and was forced to take his criminal behavior across the boarder and out of our state.

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POLICY BRIEF: For more information on how the loss limit helps curb crime please read our policy brief entitled “Loss limits and law enforcement: How Missouri is uniquely protected” and check out all of our policy briefs at CasinoWatch.org. Or you can simply listen to the audio version of this Policy Brief below.

taking aim at the illegal gambling that fuels dog fighting

State Representative Jane Cunningham introduced legislation (HB 2416) which would change the laws regarding dog fighting in Missouri. While dog fighting is already illegal in the state of Missouri, many lawmakers across the country have re-visited the issue in response to the attention brought last summer by former NFL star Michael Vick. The steps taken in HB 2416 are a practical and responsible approach to not only keeping more animals from being endangered, but cutting back the financial motivation that fuels these dog fights, which comes in the form of illegal gambling by spectators.

This week members of the House Special Committee on General Laws heard testimony regarding HB 2416. A variety of speakers representing the Humane Society and Animal Control testified in favor of the bill. Casino Watch also took the opportunity to speak and persuade members of the committee to pass this bill because of the influence it will have on curbing the illegal gambling involved with these fights. Rep. Cunningham’s legislation specifies that any person who is found guilty of a second or subsequent dog fighting offense will be guilty of a class D felony. This change directly impacts the spectators of these fights by raising a misdemeanor offense to a felony with more serious penalties.

According to the Humane Society of the United States:

Spectators provide much of the profit associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps keep this “sport” alive. Because dogfights are illegal and therefore not widely publicized, spectators do not merely happen upon a fight; they seek it out. They are willing participants who support a criminal activity through their paid admission and attendance.

Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business

It is important for lawmakers to understand that in order to prevent the cruel activity of dog fighting, we must look at the root cause motivation for conducting these fights, and that is simply the money generated by illegal gambling. HB 2416 is a good step in the right direction of curbing this illegal activity.

Below are thoughts and comments from the bill sponsor Rep. Jane Cunningham, concerning HB 2416 and the testimony provided by Casino Watch.