Last week, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey recommended the implementation of certain provisions aimed at protecting state residents from spending considerable amounts at slot parlors and casinos. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved the adoption of these at a Thursday meeting.
Attorney General Healey called for regulations that would minimize the negative effects casinos might have on their customers and maximize the latter’s protection in a March 27 letter.
The state Attorney General was among the opponents of the installation of ATMs in casinos. This is why she paid special attention to the matter in her letter. Ms. Healey pointed out that credit card cash advance fees are too high and such transactions need to be prohibited at casinos.
Members of the state Gaming Commission did not oppose the proposal and casino representatives did not ask to comment on the matter.
Commission members admitted that ATMs at gambling venues pose serious risks to players, as they are likely to spend more on gambling. If, however, the machines are placed outside casino floors, people will need to leave those in order to find the nearest ATM and withdraw more money. Thus, they will have more time to reconsider betting.
The Gaming Commission prepared a draft regulation, under which ATMs can be placed only in special halls, located no less than 15 feet from rooms with gaming tables and slot machines. Ms. Healey’s recommendation that ATM owners should not be allowed to use data collected from their devices for marketing or other purposes was approved by commission members, as well.
The state Attorney General also expressed her concerns that players at casinos might be having their credits extended a bit too readily.
Todd Grossman, Deputy General Counsel of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, explained that they have revised a language that would require casinos to assess whether their visitors are creditworthy in a reasonable manner. For instance, operators will have to collect comprehensive information about their patrons’ finances.
Ms. Healey further called for stringent anti-money-laundering regulations in her letter. She also urged for measures against human and drug trafficking, and other criminal activities that might be taking place at the state’s gambling venues.
Mr. Grossman pointed out that casinos have already been imposed strong regulations concerning financial transactions at their premises. He said that the Gaming Commission does not need to tell operators to “follow federal law”.
Yet, commission members promised the adoption of a special provision that would require the Attorney General to be informed about any suspicions of money-laundering or other criminal activities at any of the state’s casinos.
