Indiana Senate Approves Deadbeat Parent Casino Legislation

The Indiana Senate took steps on Thursday towards decreasing some of the over $2 billion that is owed in child support in the state. The Senate passed a bill that calls for casinos to check slot jackpot winners against a database of deadbeat parents.

Currently, there is over 150,000 parents that do not have custody but owe back child support in Indiana. Lawmakers began discussing this bill late last year, believing that parents that are not paying for their children's care, should not be winning slot jackpots.

"It's the right thing to do to make sure these children do not suffer for the sins or the mistakes of their parents," said Senator Richard Bray, as reported in the Courier-Journal. The Senate passed the bill unanimously.

Casino operators are against the bill because they fear that it will delay the process of paying out their jackpot winners. Having to consult a database will take up to an additional five minutes, but lawmakers believe that is a small price to pay to ensure that the deadbeat parents are not being rewarded for their actions.

In order for a parent to lose their jackpot winnings, they would have to win a jackpot of $1,200 or greater, and they must be at least $2,000 behind on their child support payments. The bill now moves on to the House for approval.

Indiana is one of the states where casino gambling has become prevalent. Many states have expanded their casino gaming options, and legislators are constantly looking for ways to properly regulate the casinos and the patrons of these establishments.

January 29, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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