SEARCH NEWS:

 

Crooked Casino Workers Cash In

INDIANA – As reported by the Indianapolis Star: "Employees stole at least $62,000 from riverboats last month, police reports show.

"Employees at Indiana's casinos must be fingerprinted and pass background checks. They work under the constant scrutiny of security cameras. Many must wear uniforms without pockets and carry their belongings in clear plastic purses, all in an effort to prevent theft.

"But the aggressive security didn't stop casino employees from making off with at least $62,000 during October, police reports show.

"…More than $2 billion a year flows into Indiana casinos -- as much as $5 million on some weekends alone. That creates plenty of temptation to steal, even with the security measures in place, observers say.

"Casino officials say they take steps to counter that temptation. For example, riverboat employees in Indiana are prohibited from gambling on the boats where they work. But they are allowed to gamble at other riverboats in the state.

"…Rob Hunter, a clinical psychologist for Problem Gambling Consultants in Las Vegas, one of the nation's largest gambling addiction treatment centers, treats many casino employees. He said his patients often have no criminal history before they develop a gambling addiction. But once that addiction takes hold, many turn to theft to finance their habit.

"…Casino managers say it would be almost impossible to root out every problem, because employees eventually will find a weakness they think they can exploit…"

< Gaming News