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President of Mexico Vows to Cancel All Casino Licenses Issued in Last 4 Years

president_of_mexico_vows_to_cancel_all_casino_licenses_issued_in_Last_4_yearsAccording to a 1947 law, gambling halls and casinos are supposed to be illegal in Mexico. However, hundreds of them exist and former President Vincente Fox was given powers by the courts to authorize licensing in order to create revenues through taxes as well as bolster the tourist trade.

Current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador made no secret of his anti-gambling stance when he ran for and won the presidency, and has not personally authorized or issued any new licenses since he took office on December 1, 2018. In September of the next year, he re-affirmed his stance against issuing any new licenses in a gesture that was widely seen as an effort to reassure the Catholic church that he was on its side on the issue.

Casino Opposition Increased After Fire

The church and specifically Cardinal Rogelio Cabrera, head of the Mexican Episcopate, strengthened opposition to casino gambling after about 25 gunmen, purportedly members of the Los Zetas drug cartel stormed the Casino Royale in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The men doused the casino in flammable liquids and lit it on fire trapping over 50 people inside. At least 50 people were killed in the tragedy.

At a recent press conference, the president stated that his government will not only refrain from issuing any new licenses but will also revoke any that may have been granted in the last four years. Mexican presidents are limited to a single six-year term.

At the presser, López Obrador declared he would request a report from the head of the Secretariat for Home Affairs, Adán Augusto López Hernández in order to take control of the current process for issuing licenses.

Prior to leaving office in 2005, the former Secretariat issued more than 750 licenses to gaming parlors across the country.

The president stated in reply to a reporter’s question about licensing and an upcoming casino industry conference: “Casinos should not be opened, we are not giving permission to open casinos. We are not. And I am going to ask the Secretariat for Home Affairs for a report because, if there is a new license, it is canceled, because the instruction is not to deliver any license.”

Licensing Process “Inadequate”?

It’s unclear if López Obrador will follow through on his threat to jerk existing licenses so far into his term. He had earlier asked Olga Sánchez Cordero, a prior Secretary of Home Affairs whether or not licenses issued under the previous administration had been under a lawful process. Obrador has stated in the past the process was “inadequate”.

Some legal scholars have differed on the legislative appendix process used to authorize deviance from earlier laws that specifically outlawed casino operations but in the 2000s many lawmakers were behind efforts to bring casino gambling to major coastal resort hotels. In recent years, some state governors have taken it upon themselves to issue more local licenses.
There is no unified federal framework for casino legislation, anti-money laundering controls, or even a unified tax code across the country. Online gambling is authorized loosely although there are no laws specifically authorizing it.

According to Thompson Reuters Law Guides: “Land-based casinos and online gaming are permitted. In Mexico, there are 36 land-based permit holders that are, or could be, allowed to operate online gaming.”

Source: President says he will revoke all casino licenses granted over the last four years, G3 Newswire, March 20, 2023

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Missouri Slot-Like Gaming Devices Lead to More Litigation

Lawsuits are piling up against Missouri video gaming machine company Torch Electronics. The newest one is from TNT Amusements which claims the slot machine-like devices are illegal and hurt its bottom line.

An example of a no-chance gaming device
An example of a no-chance gaming device, pictured above. Such devices are leading to litigation in Missouri. (Image: Missouri Independent)

TNT alleges Torch violates state consumer law and federal criminal statutes, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. TNT also claims Torch is taking part in fraud.

Torch does not have a Missouri gaming license and does not operate its amusement devices in a casino,” the lawsuit stated, according to the news report.

“Businesses have limited floor space and every spot taken up by an illegal Torch device is a spot taken away from a legal amusement device such as those offered by TNT.”

The 56-page litigation was filed last week in Missouri’s Eastern District court. It seeks treble damages.

TNT provides amusement games and is owned by Jim Turntine.

The same company previously filed a lawsuit against Torch in 2019. Back then, TNT attempted to get Torch to remove its gaming machines at a truck stop. So far, that litigation was unsuccessful.

Class Action Lawsuit

Earlier this month, another lawsuit was filed in federal court against Torch for players who lost money while using the company’s devices. It could become a class action lawsuit and represent many disgruntled players.

It is really so cruel to people who have gambling problems to place them in these situations,” Joe Jacobson, the attorney who filed the litigation, told the Missouri Independent newspaper.

“It is like being a cocaine addict and everywhere you go, there are lines of coke sitting on bar tops.”

Torch gaming devices are found in many convenience stores and truck stops in the state. Torch terminals resemble slot machines. A player puts in money, selects a game to play, and then selects a wager, the Post-Dispatch explained in a report. Winners get paid by a cashier at the business where terminals are located.

Missouri is now debating the legalization of sports betting. But some in the legislature want to see a video gambling bill enacted that would clearly regulate the devices provided by Torch. State officials have left it up to local prosecutors whether to litigate the use of the Torch machines.

So far, there was only one successful Missouri prosecution of the Torch devices. It took place in Platte County. Those gaming machines were seized and destroyed.

Torch Electronics has responded its devices are legal under state law because players are given the chance to see the outcome of the game before they continue, the Independent reported.

No-Chance Games

Torch further contends its gaming machines are legal because there is no “element of chance,” according to the Post-Dispatch.

Company officials further say their machines “fall outside the definition of a ‘gambling device’ under Missouri law,” the Post-Dispatch reported. They call them “no-chance game machines.”

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Would-Be British Lawyer Jailed for Gambling Away Company Money

An aspiring lawyer in the UK will, in a few years, be an older, out-of-work former prison inmate unable to practice law. While finishing his education to become a licensed attorney, Tauseef Sadeeq decided to embezzle funds at the law firm where he was an apprentice, using the money to gamble.

Tauseef Sadeeq at a British courthouse
Tauseef Sadeeq at a British courthouse. Sadeeq is going to prison for three years after stealing money from the legal firm where he worked. (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Last week, a court judge convicted the 31-year-old of stealing £100,000 (US$121,770) of client compensation. His dishonesty caused significant harm to the law firm, damaging its reputation in the legal community.

Sadeeq was previously employed at Jacob Miller Solicitors, a personal injury firm located in Bolton, a town in Greater Manchester. He began working there as a paralegal before being promoted to the position of trainee. Interestingly, Sadeeq was the first trainee ever appointed at the firm and could be the last.

Pattern of Deception

Last week, the would-be lawyer admitted to committing fraud 20 times by exploiting his position at the law firm. Over a year, he defrauded multiple insurance companies by presenting his personal NatWest bank account information instead of the company’s to receive payments. He successfully siphoned off up to £8,000 (US$9,741) at a time through the scam.

Sadeeq was able to get the bank to transfer to him £100,437 (US$122,302). He took another £2,000 (US$2,435) from the company. When the law firm found out in March 2021, it let him go and pressed charges.

His ruse came to an end during a regular audit of the company’s books. Two payments seemed out of place and he tried to sidestep questions from the firm’s accountants. When asked about the funds received earlier, his initial statement was that the money was meant to cover the previous payments. He later retracted his claim and said the transfers had been authorized erroneously.

Following this revelation, an office manager requested copies of payment request forms but received only fabricated documents. That led to a deeper investigation and Sadeeq’s dismissal and date with the penal system.

Instead of owning up to his inability to control himself, Sadeeq blamed it all on gambling. Daily, he had succumbed to the allure of the game, wracking up debts that he simply couldn’t afford to pay.

He told the court that out of desperation, he resorted to stealing from his own company to cover his mounting losses. As a result, he’ll now have two years behind bars to break the gambling habit.

Law Firm on the Brink

Following the unacceptable behavior demonstrated by Sadeeq, the company promptly implemented a comprehensive strategy aimed to restore trust with its clients and the general public. The strategy entailed the recruitment of two highly qualified lawyers who would specifically focus on resolving the damages arising from the incident.

Hasib Khan, the firm’s director, told the court that due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the company had already been experiencing substantial financial losses. Sadeeq’s actions exacerbated the situation and its partners had to pay £400,000 (US$487,080) out of pocket to cover the losses. This led to the firm laying off eight employees.

Things got worse from there. When the incident happened, it made its way through the news, causing damage to the reputation of the law firm. In light of this, many of the firm’s clients severed their business ties with the company.

The judge, Martin Walsh, said that Sadeeq was guilty of a “considerable and gross breach of trust.” He’s not alone; even the wayward would-be lawyer’s brother can no longer trust him. The sibling was on his way to becoming a police officer but had his application pulled due to the crimes.

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Casino Crime Round Up: Man Murdered Near Bally’s Casino Atlantic City

A 34-year-old man was fatally shot on the Atlantic City boardwalk near Bally’s Casino on Saturday morning. A suspect was arrested.

Police officers on the Atlantic City boardwalk near Bally’s Casino
Police officers on the Atlantic City boardwalk near Bally’s Casino, pictured above. A man was fatally shot outside the casino this weekend. (Image: KYW)

Jahlil Boston, 34, of Egg Harbor City, N.J., was charged with murder and several other weapons and drug counts, prosecutors said.

The shooting took place at about 2 a.m. in the 1900 block of the boardwalk near Johnny Rockets restaurant at Bally’s.

The victim was identified by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office as Eric Wynn of Atlantic City.

Boston was apprehended shortly after the killing. He allegedly used a semi-automatic firearm in the shooting.

The prosecutor’s office in a statement noted that Shawn Steuber, a retired local officer now at the Atlantic City Headquarters for Intelligence Logistics Electronic Surveillance, quickly got a description of the suspect for police.

Boston remained in custody as of early this weekend at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

The weapons charges against Boston include: unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a weapon while in the course of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of large capacity ammunition and magazine, and possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of a predicate offense.

He was also charged with these drug counts: possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute while in a public zone.

It appears Boston knew Wynn before the shooting took place, officials said.

Officials didn’t release further details on the killing. It was unclear why the two men were near the casino.

Alleged Laundering of $38K at Hollywood Casino Joliet

John Tomaras was charged with money laundering following a series of recent incidents involving over $38,000 at Illinois’ Hollywood Casino Joliet.

The 53-year-old Rockdale, Ill. man allegedly laundered $38,180 at the casino between February 24 and March 10, according to Patch.

Tomaras was arrested on March 10. His bail was set at $50,000.

He was booked at Will County Jail on March 11. He was released after posting bond.

Man Arrested for Indiana Casino Cheating

Gankhuyag Noosoi was arrested after allegedly cheating while playing Baccarat at an Indiana gaming property.

The 54-year-old Chicago man was charged with cheating at gambling after a January 17 incident, according to the Chicago Tribune.

He either made a winning bet after the hand ended or he changed the bet to a winning hand from a losing hand after the Baccarat game was decided, the Tribune reported based on court documents.

Noosoi changed his bet from banker to player position as the dealer collected losing bets.

The casino lost $160 from the cheating, the report added. Noosoi paid the dealer $25.

Noosoi apparently had difficulty communicating with casino staff. He couldn’t speak fluent English given his native language is Mongolian.

The casino is located in Hammond, Ind. It wasn’t named in a media report.

In January 2022, Noosoi was also charged with cheating at gambling in Lake County, Indiana, the Tribune reported. It’s unclear how that charge was adjudicated in court.

Accused Casino Bandit Faces Up To 20 Years in Prison

Aaron Michael Kelly accepted a plea deal this month for the April 2022 armed robbery in the parking lot of Maryland’s Hollywood Casino.

The 23-year-old Middle River, Md., man now faces up to 20 years in prison, according to Maryland’s Cecil Whig newspaper.

Kelly agreed to plead guilty on March 6 to armed robbery and theft of more than $100 and less than $1,500 at the Cecil County Circuit Court, the newspaper added. He likely will be sentenced on May 16 by Judge Brenda A. Sexton.

The armed robbery took place in a parking lot at Hollywood Casino in Perryville on April 9, 2022.

Kelly allegedly opened the driver’s door of a parked car. He then placed a handgun on the driver’s head, authorities said. He allegedly demanded money from her. She gave him the cash, and he drove away. He was arrested in May.

Originally, he was charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, loaded handgun on person, and numerous other charges.

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Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium Nearly Doubled 2022 Tourism Forecast

Nearly half of the 1.7M fans who packed sporting and music events at Allegiant Stadium in 2022 were tourists, according to a new report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. That is nearly double the number that was originally forecast.

Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas
The top-attended Allegiant Stadium event in 2022 was the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers NFL game on January 1. It drew 58,871 fans. (Image: Facebook)

Stadium Authority chair Steve Hill — who also serves as president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority — told the newspaper that his organization had predicted that tourism would account for only 27% of an average Allegiant crowd. Instead, that number turned out to be somewhere between 40% and 49%.

About 65% of the approximately 500K fans who attended the last five Raider home games of last season (or 325K) came from out of town, according to the stadium authority, with a high of 69% (or 39.9K) coming for the December 18, 2022 matchup against the New England Patriots.

But the highest percentage of tourists was the whopping 87% (or 48,716 fans) in the stands for the October 8, 2022 one-off Shamrock Series football game between Notre Dame and BYU. According to the stadium authority, 81% of those fans traveled to Las Vegas specifically to attend that game.

In Your Face, Doubters!

This is great news for Las Vegas tourism, the kind winning converts of those who opposed the original plan to build Allegiant.

Constructed between 2017 and 2020 to bring the NFL’s Raiders over from Oakland, the stadium cost $1.9B. That makes it the second most expensive stadium ever built — after the Rams’ $5.5B SoFi Stadium in LA. The difference is that SoFi was 100% privately funded, while $750M of Allegiant’s price tag was footed by municipal bonds issued by Clark County. Those bonds were backed by the proceeds of a 1.4% special tax on Las Vegas hotel rooms — a tax that also partially funded an expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In 2016, two grassroots lobbying organizations fiercely opposed the public funding, noting that it came at a time when state budgets had been slashed by $300M to cover shortfalls. In a statement made at the time, Nevadans for the Common Good said the stadium deal “involves substantial risk to the public without providing commensurate community benefits.” A statement from the Nevada Taxpayers Association noted that there was “significant data indicating that subsidized stadiums can be a detriment to a community.”

News of Allegiant’s unexpectedly high 2022 contribution to Las Vegas tourism was  enough to get at least one former naysayer singing a new tune. In 2016, Tick Segerblom, now a Clark County Commissioner, was one of only five state senators who voted against Allegiant’s public funding.

“The truth is, I think it’s beat everybody’s wildest expectations,” Segerblom told the R-J. “It filled a void and now we can hold any event in the world. It really has been incredibly beneficial.”

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