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Indiana Bill Would Strip Gambling Winnings From Deadbeat Parents
Filed under: In The News
Gambling deadbeat parents might have to give up their winnings. Credit: shoobydooby, Flickr
You could win big at the casino, but if you're a deadbeat mom or dad, you could still crap out under a proposed law in Indiana.
The Chicago Tribune reports that a bill before the Indiana Legislature would garnish your winnings if you owe child support.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels supports the bill, noting that 42 percent of child support payments in Indiana go uncollected.
"We do not believe that a parent who's having difficulty paying child support should be out gambling," Stuart Showalter tells the Tribune. He's a spokesman with Indiana Shared Parenting, a group that advocates for equal joint custody.
Casino owners, however, are not happy. Members of the Casino Association of Indiana say the bill would cause a two-minute delay on casino floors while names of winners are checked against an electronic list of people owing child support.
"People hit a jackpot, they want to be paid," association President Mike Smith tells the Tribune. "You're going to have angry people."
Gov. Daniels tells the Tribune casino owners should look at the big picture.
"The need to help single parents get justice and badly needed dollars more than justifies any minor inconvenience to businesses," he tells the newspaper. "We hope the casinos will reconsider in view of the help this will provide deserving, struggling families."
Smith tells the Tribune the governor doesn't understand the logistics involved. Asking casino owners to check electronic records is difficult. Not all casino floors have Internet access.
Then there is the fact that half of gamblers at casinos come from other states, Smith says. The chance of netting a lot of Indiana deadbeats is small.
"While we believe parents should take responsibility and pay their child support and be responsible for their children, we would prefer not to have to be forced to take over a government function," Smith tells the Tribune. "We view it somewhat as being singled out."
The bill went before a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. Chairman Sen. Richard Bray, R-Martinsville, tells the Tribune it behooves casinos should play ball.
"Would you rather that we -- if the committee sees fit, if the Legislature sees fit -- arbitrarily create a system, or would you rather work with us to make a system that would be less burdensome for you?" he tells the paper.
The Tribune reports a similar law passed in Colorado brought in $600,000 in back child support money during the first year of the law.
Sen. Scott Schneider, R-Indianapolis, tells the Tribune that Smith should consider the role other businesses -- including banks and insurance companies -- already play in nabbing deadbeats.
"I'm not too sympathetic," he told Smith at Wednesday's hearing.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-15-2010 @ 2:34AM
Keith said...In my state whenever a company hires a new worker they have to fax a copy of their W-4 tp the State Capital. If the State shows that the person owes child support they fax back a Writ of Garnishment. Is better than the old way - the parent had to pretty much be a private investigastor and find out where the guy works and then notify the state. Then he would quit and find a new job until his ex found out where his new job was. This way he gets garnished from his first paycheck and doesn't do any good to just quit and find another job. I wouldn't consider that as doing the government's job for them and neither is collecting child support out of casino winnings. If they aren't paying to support their children they either don't care or saying they can't afford to support them. And if they can't afford to support their kids they have no business gambling.
Reply
9-09-2010 @ 9:29AM
Al said...Keith,
Your write up is very true, I liked it!
9-08-2010 @ 9:59PM
ben casey said...Here in Blackhawk,Colorado they check for everything before thy pay a jackpot over 1,200. and if you are a deadbeat thy hold it for the county that you are resposable for. I for one think that IS GREAT ,,why not if you have to gamble you can aford your children.
Reply
9-08-2010 @ 10:40PM
startrekstngs said...Simple rule . If you do want to pay. DON'T PLAY.
Reply