Macon County, Georgia Says Gambling Raids Have Aided Community Programs

Macon County Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke states the crackdown on revenues stemming from video gaming enjoyment machines in convenience shops is providing a benefit that is great his 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 the 2014 gambling raid will be well utilized.
This week, Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Cooke announced how the funds had been being invested after his office received an Open Records Act request.
Posted on his official government website, Cooke revealed that throughout the last two years the money was used to pay for witness travel, surveillance and investigative equipment, improvements to police gear, and numerous donations to local charities and companies.
‘i am proud of the real way we have used these resources for the main benefit of our community. We’ve had the chance to assist agency partners who assist victims of domestic physical violence, sexual assault and child abuse,’ Cooke said at a press seminar.
‘We want to keep utilizing this money for those types of purposes,’ Cooke explained. The local district attorney additionally explained that as the money is going to vital programs, it’s also sometimes employed for run-of-the-mill expenditures like workplace materials.
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 situated 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 exclusion comes by means of coin operated amusement machines which can be readily available in convenience stores.
Alternatively of money payouts, the machines provide bettors using the potential for winning merchandise that is in-store gas credits, along with free lottery tickets. The machines fall under the oversight of this Georgia Lottery.
Cooke discovered 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, and the economic penalties are going to most likely fund Macon County for years to come.
Cooke is splitting those monies with other counties that aid and assist in the investigation. 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 was fond of the grouped Family Counseling Center, $7,665 to the Crescent House child abuse center, and $20,272 was employed for repairs at the Crisis Line and secure House company.
Profits Redo
Since July 2015, Georgia is monitoring gaming machine revenue via a new computer network that is centralized. No more are shops self-reporting.
The discrepancy in revenue is shocking.
During the 2014/2015 fiscal year in 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 is an alarming difference of $700 million between self-reporting data and the computer system. ‘Looking during the disparity within the numbers, any reasonable person would conclude that fraud is involved,’ Cooke said 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 decide on an Arkansas casino measure, but state Governor Asa Hutchinson has recently revealed he plans to vote against the amendment. (Image: Brian Chilson/Arkansas Instances)
An Arkansas casino measure goes before voters this November residents that are asking they’re willing to finally end gambling prohibition.
Led by a team called Arkansas Wins, Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin revealed this week that the petition had garnered 100,977 valid signatures, significantly more than the 84,859 required for the state amendment that is constitutional proceed. The measure would enable three casinos to use in the three counties of Boone, Miller, and Washington.
Arkansas Wins says the Cherokee that is oklahoma-based Nation operate the Washington County casino should voters approve the amendment.
‘we are grateful to the 100,977 authorized Arkansas voters that joined with our campaign to have this pro-growth, pro-jobs issue regarding the ballot this November,’ Arkansas Wins spokesperson Robert Coon stated in a release. ‘This amendment will generate tens of thousands 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 features a state lottery and two pari-mutuel racetracks.
The three gambling enterprises would spend 18 % of their net casino revenue to hawaii plus one half of one % to the county it’s housed. The proposed counties are all near neighboring states where legalized commercial-style gambling already exists.
Not All in Favor
Getting issue before voters for the November election is a win that is big the advocacy group behind the movement. But the path to legalization remains messy with obstacles.
Several opponents have voiced their concerns on legalizing commercial or gaming that is tribal. Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) is against the movement to bring casinos to Arkansas, and Chuck Lange, the president that is former of Arkansas Sherriff’s Association, quickly assembled friends to oppose the ballot question.
‘There isn’t any accountability in this amendment with no protections for the people of Arkansas. There are not any mechanisms for local governments to object to the placement of casinos . . . There are not any real restrictions that are regulatory these casinos,’ Lange stated in a press release.
Another coalition against Arkansas Wins is the Family Council. Executive Director Jerry Cox said regarding the election measure, ‘It’s no coincidence that pawn shops are frequently door that is next casinos. Arkansas won’t be any different. This is certainly a market that preys on the indegent.’
Doing Company As
Probably the most controversy over whether to help or oppose the amendment is stemming from those who’re behind the casino referendum. Should the concern pass in November, a company titled Arkansas Gaming and Resorts, LLC would build the 3 casinos.
The issue is, at least for some, is ongoing company is owned by non-Arkansas businesspeople. ‘This amendment creates a monopoly allowing out-of-state entrepreneurs to build casinos,’ Cox said.
In two months, it shall be revealed if dolphin treasure slot machine download that also bothers residents. But gambling would provide a substantial boost to the Arkansas government.
Hutchinson still is not in favor.
‘I continue 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 the folks who live here from having control of what type of community they have in the foreseeable future.’
College Football Sports Betting Returns to Las Vegas Sportsbooks
College football sports betting is returning bettors to Las Vegas sportsbooks after a long and slow summer time. (Image: Vegas Review-Journal)
University football is back. After months of vacant grid irons, the pigskin gets back within the air and on the ground this weekend.
No body is happier than the sports books in Las Vegas.
Football draws more bets in Nevada than any other sport. In 2015, football 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 heavy, as bettors think Carolina can beat the defending champs now that they’re without former quarterback Peyton Manning.
Carolina happens to be a favorite that is three-point. But until next week, all football eyes will be on the university degree, and there’s plenty of high-profile games to keep everyone interested, both fans and bettors alike.
Bama vs. Trojans
Nick Saban and his top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide are not limping into the 2016 season. The defending champs are in Texas to play #20 USC at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys and affectionately known as Jerry’s World.
Alabama went 14-1 last year and won the next installment regarding the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. There are lots of questions surrounding the Crimson Tide, but none more pressing than settling on a new quarterback.
After waiting regarding the sidelines for three years, USC quarterback Max Browne will get his chance finally under center. It will be no simple task taking on the Alabama defense.
Las Las Vegas has Alabama as 11.5-point favorites over USC and the over/under at 53 points that are total.
Other one Match-ups week
#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 having its Heisman finalist quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is thought to be on the seat that is hot. The Tigers coach is making $5.4 million a year but went just 27-13 since taking the helm in 2013.
Auburn is the underdog, but aided by the home crowd in their support, Vegas is only spotting them more than a touchdown.
#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. Out of the American Athletic Conference, Houston comes off a campaign that is 13-1 Peach Bowl win over Florida State.
These are the #4 Seminoles, Florida State plays #11 Ole skip (FSU -4.5) in Orlando. The Seminoles seem to have all of the ingredients to create a run at number one should 19-year-old redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois meet expectations.
#18 Georgia and #22 UNC play in Atlanta (UGA -3) and marks the final week one competition where both teams are ranked.
While the sports action that is betting be extensive in Vegas and Nevada, you need to note almost all wagers in America will be executed on unregulated networks. The American Gaming Association estimated that $93 billion was bet illegally on American football this past year.
North California Gang Probe Leads to Arrest of Police Officer
Police allege this Vietnamese café had been one of many establishments involved in a Northern California gang medication and gambling ring, but legislation enforcement also discovered certainly one of its own was in on the procedure. (Image: nbcbayarea.com)
Northern California gang raids being performed by the San Jose Police Department’s (SJPD) investigations unit has led to the arrests of 23 including one legislation enforcement officer. Dubbed ‘Operation Gang of Thrones,’ the SJPD was working since last March to infiltrate Vietnamese street gangs involved with unlawful 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 resulted in 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 unlawful gambling machines.
Oh, and another alligator.
San Jose officer Derrick Antonio, a 9.5-year veteran of the force, was arrested on allegations of providing private home elevators police activity to the alleged enterprise that is criminal. Antonio is facing six total felony counts and happens to be on compensated administrative leave.
Viet Gambling
The Vietnamese-American demographic has become engulfed in illicit activity in the past few years. The ethnic migrants are overwhelming law-abiding residents, the few who aren’t are giving their local communities a bad reputation though of course.
Drugs are the product that is preferred of for most gangs, but for the Viet-American criminal, gambling is more fancied. Plus it’s widespread.
Just a couple of weeks ago, a botched robbery of a illegal gambling house left a 58-year-old Vietnamese woman 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 trying to crackdown on illegal gambling houses. Local police say the problem that is rampant big business for the gambling rings and profits can exceed $100,000 or more per month.
Along side slots and card that is electronic, multiplayer video arcade games are extremely popular with the Vietnamese who visit the criminal gambling houses and café backrooms.