Hawaiian Gardens Casino receives fine
The Attorney General from California has issued a settlement against Hawaiian Gardens Casino for misleading regulators and set a US$3.15 million fine.
US.- Xavier Becerra, Attorney General of California, has decided to settle a US$3.15 million fine against Hawaiian Gardens Casino. The AG said that the facility had misled gambling regulators and violated the Bank Secrecy Act.
Becerra said that the cards room failed to inform a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) investigation into its practices. It also deceived the state Department of Justice for years.
“There’s no excuse for failing to comply with the law and deliberately attempting to mislead regulators,” said Attorney General Becerra. “In the gaming world, if you fail to play by the rules, expect to pay the price. Hawaiian Gardens Casino is paying the price. At the California Department of Justice, we will do all we can to prevent the marriage of money laundering and casinos.”
Tribes in California in favour of sports betting initiative
A coalition of tribes has proposed an initiative for the 2020 ballot that would legalise sports betting in Californian Indian casinos and racetracks.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, 18 tribes filed papers with the state attorney general’s office interested in a title and summary for the initiative that would give them the green light to circulate petitions to qualify for the measure.
The amendment from the tribes, which are led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, would allow betting on professional, college and a number of amateur sports. High school sports would be banned in the state.
Mark Macarro, chairman of Pechanga, believes that Californians should have the choice to participate in sports betting in a regulated, safe and experienced gaming locations. He explained that the amendment would impose a 10% tax on revenue from sports betting for public safety, mental health programs, education and regulatory costs.
Some of the tribes that operate casinos in California and support the initiative are the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
