Colorado gambling law garnishes $600,000 from winnings of deadbeat parents

[ccharles000]

More than $600,000 has been withheld from winnings of deadbeat parents who gamble in Colorado in the first year of a controversial law that requires casinos to check whether big winners owe child support.

Anyone who wins more than $1,200 at a machine or a table in Black Hawk, Cripple Creek or Central City is run through a computer database to see whether the person owes any back payments in child support.

In Denver County, $64,381 was collected in 2008 and another $83,268 this year just from gambling. Jefferson County has collected almost $34,000 from winnings this year.

Advocates praise the law as a good way to get money from deadbeat parents.

"My belief is that if you owe money and you win, it should come out of that," said Nancy Lewis, executive director of the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance. "If you're lucky enough to win, that money should be paid back to the people owed."

A year into the law's enforcement, though, casinos say it has been a headache to enforce. Gamblers, particularly those on a winning streak, aren't expecting a debt collector when they cash in their chips and often become angry. The computer system that tracks the debt is often slow or down.

"Why single out the casino industry to be the state's bill collector?" said John Bohannon, general manager of Isle Casino Hotel in Black Hawk.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13581509

[Skink]

1. Let's give casinos subpeona power.

[PeaceNikki]

2. Good

[bluestateguy]

3. Gambling is a privilege that states graciously choose to confer upon their citizens

The same thing happens when you win the lottery: the state runs a check to see if you owe back taxes, fines, liens or child support.

[naaman fletcher]

14. Why, because someone told you that?

Personally, I think it is a bad thing when the State deputizes private businesses to do their work for them, but that's just me.

[aikoaiko]

4. That works for me.

:toast:

[tammywammy]

5. Smart idea! n/t

[Kansas Wyatt]

6. I thought both the fed & states had a system to check....

All deadbeats who win anything, that requires government operation or licensing.

[Xipe Totec]

7. Why single out the casino industry to be the state's bill collector?

Why indeed.

I think it is a great idea!

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

15. singled out?

businesses of all kinds are forced to garnish for child support and the rules for the impacted businesses are absurd in most states.

[napi21]

8. Well isn't life a "b"? if you want to be a dead beat dad, don't

do anything that gats you money! The IRS, or any gov't supplied $$ will get you. Get over it ahd pay your amount due.

[deadmessengers]

13. I guess women don't EVER get behind on child support in your world. n/t

[bridgit]

9. Good

[aquart]

10. Fine by me.

[hurricanesfan27]

11. Stupid law

Why should a casino be forced to do governments job. If the county attorneys cant enforce the law then they should be the ones who get replaced with people who can. Government is overreaching in this case.

[virgogal]

12. Great law IMHO !

[dmr]

16. I think this is fair. This is about children.

Better to come from the deadbeat parent than from the taxpayers.

[BrklynLiberal]

17. Sounds fair to me...