Unclaimed Casino Winnings Could Be Used To Pay For Rape Kits

Some lawmakers think it's a good idea, some in the casino industry say it's a slippery slope that could only lead to to trouble. The idea is in the form of legislation proposed in the current session of the Louisiana legislature. In a bill before the Louisiana house is a measure that would allow unclaimed casino funds to be used to pay for rape kits and forensic medical exams.

On the surface the bill propose New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno seems to be reasonable. Every year there are thousands of dollars in unclaimed casino winnings and race track tickets. The bill proposed by Moreno would help defray if not completely cover the costs of forensic tests in any case of suspected rape.

However, the Louisiana Casino Association thinks there could be a huge problem with the state claiming the unclaimed funds. Wade Duty is with the LCA and he explains the money angle like this. The money in an unclaimed ticket is the property of the gaming establishment. The casinos even pay taxes on that unclaimed money.

"If the unclaimed tickets were truly the players property we would not pay taxes on it, we don't pay taxes on other people's property,"

Duty's remarks to the Louisiana Radio Network seem to indicate that even if the bill becomes law, there could be litigation concerning the ownership of the money. There is also the question of what would happen if the winnings were later claimed and if the state has the right to claim personal property. Last year Louisiana casinos had about $1.2 million dollars in unclaimed winnings.

The bill by the way passed without opposition and will head to the full house floor for more debate. You can bet, no pun intended, that we have not heard the last of the conversation on this bill.

Filed Under: casinos, louisiana legislature, rape

Categories: Political