
Macon County Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke states the crackdown on revenues stemming from video gaming entertainment machines in convenience shops is providing a great benefit to their community and aiding programs statewide.
Macon County in Georgia wants it residents to over know that the $1 million in lawsuit settlements it’s received stemming from a 2014 gambling raid is being well used.
This week, Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke announced how the funds had been being spent after his office received an Open Records Act request.
Posted on his official government website, Cooke revealed that during the last two years the money is used to cover for witness travel, surveillance and investigative equipment, improvements to police gear, and multiple donations to local charities and businesses.
‘I am proud of the way we’ve used these resources for the advantage of our community. We’ve had the opportunity to assist agency partners who help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and kid abuse,’ Cooke said at a press seminar.
‘We want to keep making use of this money for those kinds of purposes,’ Cooke explained. The local district lawyer additionally explained that although the money is going to vital programs, it’s also sometimes useful for run-of-the-mill expenditures like workplace supplies.
Macon received $1.2 million after 10 Bibb County stores agreed to a racketeering settlement with Cooke. Bibb County is part of Cooke’s judicial circuit region, which is located about 80 kilometers southeast of Atlanta.
More Where That Came From
Georgia features a lottery and gaming that is charitable but bars pari-mutuel, tribal, commercial, and racetrack gambling. The exception comes by way of coin operated amusement machines which can be readily available in convenience stores.
Alternatively of cash payouts, the devices provide bettors because of the chance of winning merchandise that is in-store fuel credits, along with free lottery tickets. The machines fall under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery.
Cooke found that the self-reporting revenue practiced in Georgia was being taken advantage of by storeowners. Cooke’s office is taking the lead in a statewide crackdown on the amusements, plus the economic penalties are likely to most likely fund Macon County for a long time in the future.
Cooke is splitting those monies with other counties that aid and assist in the research. The Georgia Department of Revenue and judicial jurisdictions of Towaliga, Pataula, Coweta, Southwestern, and Flint have all received payments.
In terms of charitable donations, $14,790 ended up being provided to the grouped Family Counseling Center, $7,665 to your Crescent House child abuse center, and $20,272 ended up being useful for repairs at the Crisis Line and Safe House organization.
Revenues Redo
Since July 2015, Georgia has been monitoring gaming device revenue through a new centralized computer system. Not any longer are shops self-reporting.
The discrepancy in revenue is shocking.
During the 2014/2015 year that is fiscal Georgia, storeowners told the state around $1.3 billion went into the machines.
The first full 12 months of the computing that is centralized concluded June 30 for the 2015/2016 fiscal calendar. The revenues came in at $2 billion.
That’s a difference that is alarming of700 million between self-reporting data as well as the computer program. ‘Looking at the disparity within the numbers, any person that is reasonable conclude that fraud is involved,’ Cooke stated recently.
You will find ongoing investigations surrounding the gaming machines in 33 Georgia counties.
Arkansas Casino Measure to Go Before Voters in November
Voters in November will need to pick an Arkansas casino measure, but state Governor Asa Hutchinson has already revealed he plans to vote against the amendment. (Image: Brian Chilson/Arkansas Days)
An Arkansas casino measure will go before voters this November residents that are asking they truly are ready to finally end gambling prohibition.
Led by a group called Arkansas Wins, Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin revealed this week that the petition had garnered 100,977 legitimate signatures, more than the 84,859 required for the state constitutional amendment to proceed. The measure would allow three casinos to use in the three counties of Boone, Miller, and Washington.
Arkansas Wins says the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation would operate the Washington County casino should voters approve the amendment.
‘We’re grateful to the 100,977 registered Arkansas voters that joined with our campaign to obtain this pro-growth, pro-jobs issue on the ballot this November,’ Arkansas Wins spokesperson Robert Coon stated in a release. ‘This amendment will create 1000s of good paying jobs, generate tens of vast amounts in new tax revenue, increase tourism, and stimulate our state and local economies.’
Arkansas currently only has a state lottery and two pari-mutuel racetracks.
The 3 casinos would pay 18 percent of their casino that is net revenue hawaii and something 1 / 2 of one per cent to the county it’s housed. The proposed counties are all near neighboring states where legalized gambling that is commercial-style exists.
Not All in Favor
Getting the question before voters for the November election is just a win that is big the advocacy group behind the motion. However the path to legalization remains messy with obstacles.
Several opponents have voiced their concerns on legalizing commercial or tribal gaming. Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) is against the motion to bring casinos to Arkansas, and Chuck Lange, the president that is former of Arkansas Sherriff’s Association, quickly assembled a group to oppose the ballot question.
‘There isn’t any accountability in this amendment and no protections for the individuals of Arkansas. There are not any mechanisms for local governments to object to the placement of gambling enterprises . . . There are no genuine restrictions that are regulatory these casinos,’ Lange said in a press release.
Another coalition against Arkansas Wins is the grouped Family Council. Executive Director Jerry Cox said of the election measure, ‘It’s no coincidence that pawn shops are usually next door to casinos. Arkansas won’t be any different. This really is a business that preys on the indegent.’
Doing Company As
The absolute most controversy over whether or not to help or oppose the amendment is stemming from those who’re behind the casino referendum. Should the concern pass in November, an organization titled Arkansas Gaming and Resorts, LLC would build the three casinos.
The problem is, at least for some, is the fact that ongoing company is owned by non-Arkansas businesspeople. ‘This amendment produces a monopoly enabling businessmen that are out-of-state build gambling enterprises,’ Cox stated.
In 8 weeks, it will be revealed if that also bothers residents. But gambling would provide a boost that is substantial the Arkansas federal government.
Hutchinson still isn’t in favor.
‘I carry on to oppose initiated efforts to bring casino gambling to Arkansas,’ Hutchinson stated this summer. ‘The proposed amendment dictates locations that are specific casino gambling that prevent individuals who live there from having control of what kind of community they will have in the future.’
College Football Sports Betting Returns to Las Vegas, Nevada Sportsbooks
College football sports betting is returning bettors to Las Vegas sportsbooks following a long and summer that is slow. (Image: Las Vegas Review-Journal)
University soccer is back. After months of vacant grid irons, the pigskin gets back into the air as well as on the ground on the weekend.
No one is happier than the activities books in Las Vegas.
Soccer draws more bets in Nevada than any other sport. In 2015, soccer accounted for 35.61 percent of the Silver State’s sport betting win and supplied bookmakers with $82.5 million in revenue.
The National Football League (NFL) begins next Thursday, September 8, with a Super Bowl 50 rematch between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers. Action on the game is currently hefty, as bettors think Carolina can beat the defending champs now that they’re without former quarterback Peyton Manning.
Carolina is currently a three-point favorite. But until next week, all football eyes will be on the university degree, and there’s lots of high-profile games to keep everyone interested, both fans and bettors alike myfreepokies.com.
Bama vs. Trojans
Nick Saban and his Alabama that is top-ranked Crimson are not limping into the 2016 season. The defending champs come in Texas to relax and play #20 USC at AT&T Stadium, house of the Dallas Cowboys and affectionately called Jerry’s World.
Alabama went 14-1 year that is last won the second installment associated with College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. There are plenty of questions surrounding the Crimson Tide, but none more pressing than settling on a new quarterback.
After waiting on the sidelines for three years, USC quarterback Max Browne will get his chance finally under center. It will likely be no effortless task taking on the Alabama protection.
Las Las Vegas has Alabama as 11.5-point favorites over USC and the over/under at 53 points that are total.
Other Week One Match-ups
number 2 Clemson is also diving right into top-tier competition by traveling to Jordan-Hare Stadium to defend myself against unranked Auburn. Clemson lost to Alabama in this past year’s CFP finale, but returns featuring its Heisman finalist quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is considered to be on the hot chair. The Tigers coach is making $5.4 million a year but has gone just 27-13 since using the helm in 2013.
Auburn is the underdog, but because of the true house audience in their support, Vegas is only spotting them more than a touchdown.
number 3 Oklahoma visits #15 Houston in Texas (OKLA -11.5), a game that Oklahoma didn’t expect to be against such a high-powered group when it scheduled the matchup in 2014. From the American Athletic Conference, Houston comes off a 13-1 campaign and Peach Bowl win over Florida State.
These are the #4 Seminoles, Florida State plays #11 Ole Miss (FSU -4.5) in Orlando. The Seminoles seem to have most of the components in order to make a run at number one should 19-year-old redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois live up to expectations.
#18 Georgia and #22 UNC play in Atlanta (UGA -3) and marks the final week one contest where both groups are ranked.
While the sports action that is betting be extensive in Vegas and Nevada, it is critical to note almost all wagers in America will be performed on unregulated networks. The American Gaming Association estimated that $93 billion was bet illegally on American football year that is last.
North California Gang Probe Leads to Arrest of Police Officer
Police allege this Vietnamese café ended up being certainly one of many establishments taking part in a Northern California gang medication and gambling ring, but law enforcement also discovered certainly one of its very own was at on the procedure. (Image: nbcbayarea.com)
Northern California gang raids being executed by the San Jose Police Department’s (SJPD) investigations unit has resulted in the arrests of 23 including one legislation enforcement officer. Dubbed ‘Operation Gang of Thrones,’ the SJPD is working since last March to infiltrate street that is vietnamese involved in illegal drugs and gambling.
On 23, the SJPD, along with the FBI and DEA and several other county sheriffs and police departments, served search warrants at various locations in San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Fremont, and Anaheim august.
The sting triggered 23 arrests and the seizure of weapons, $200,000 in money, electronic devices, financial records, 4,000 Ecstasy pills and 600 pounds of marijuana, and 69 illegal gambling machines.
Oh, and something alligator.
San Jose police Derrick Antonio, a 9.5-year veteran regarding the force, was arrested on allegations of providing confidential informative data on authorities activity to the alleged unlawful enterprise. Antonio is dealing with six total felony counts and is on paid leave that is administrative.
Viet Gambling
The Vietnamese-American demographic has become engulfed in illicit activity in recent years. Though of course the ethnic migrants are overwhelming law-abiding residents, the few who aren’t are giving their neighborhood communities a bad reputation.
Drugs are the preferred product of preference for most gangs, but for the Viet-American criminal, gambling is more fancied. Plus it’s widespread.
Just fourteen days ago, a botched robbery of a illegal gambling house left a 58-year-old Vietnamese girl dead in Austin, Texas. Ga Young Chon was killed by a robber when she was emptying cash from her rogue enterprise that is gambling.
In California’s Orange County, law enforcement agencies are actively wanting to crackdown on illegal gambling homes. Local police say the problem that is rampant big company for the gambling rings and profits can exceed $100,000 or more per month.
Along with slots and electronic card machines, multiplayer video arcade games are wildly popular with the Vietnamese who see the criminal gambling homes and café backrooms.
