Louisiana Casinos Intercept And Seize $800K From Gamblers Who Have Child Support DebtProgram Has Been Ongoing Since 2011 After 2010 Law |
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Louisiana has intercepted and seized more than $800,000 of casino winnings since Sept. 2011 from gamblers who, according to the state, are behind on their child support payments, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services announced Tuesday.
A piece of legislation, which authorized the withholding of gambler funds at brick-and-mortar gambling properties, was signed by the governor in 2010. Casinos can run the gambler’s name through a child support database to see if any money is owed.
“The casino intercept initiative has been a very successful tool for us in collecting overdue support,” DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier said in a statement.
The Department listed figures from 18 casinos that participate in the program. Hollywood Casino, located in Baton Rouge, seized the most with a sum of $106,771.93 over the period.
“In our work to assist families who rely on court ordered child support to provide for their children, DCFS uses every avenue available, like casino intercepts, to collect the more than $1.2 billion owed by non-custodial parents statewide,” Sonnier said.
According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 18 percent of the state officially lives in poverty — second worst in the United States.
According to Act No. 425, an “administrative fee” not exceeding $35 is allowed in processing the collection of casino winnings, which must be in excess of $1,200.
Other states with similar laws include Mississippi, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Colorado and West Virginia, the Louisiana DCFS said.
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