Drama communications sophomore Matthew Simmons knows there’s nothing fun about a fake ID.
He was issued a summons for underage gambling by the Louisiana State Police after being caught in Harrah’s casino.
“Don’t use fake IDs,” Simmons said. “They are no good. It’s a lot cheaper to just wait.”
Simmons was lucky to receive only a ticket and a fine.
“Casinos are going to start making examples out of underaged gamblers to send a message,” said State Police officer Saunders Craine, of the Casino Gaming Unit. “You will go to jail.”
Minors who use another person’s valid ID to gain entry are also putting their accomplices at risk. Craine said that if caught, both parties face fines and jail time.
“The biggest misnomer is that officers will just catch you and send you along your way,” State Police officer Robert Hodges said. “The consequences are much greater.”
Casinos have a financial interest in keeping youngsters off the gaming floor. If a minor is found in the casino, the business may be looking at a fine of at least $10,000.
“There has been an abundance of underaged gambling recently,” State Police officer Tony Graffeo said. “University is just starting, and there are incoming freshmen. Harrah’s recently paid two large fines, and they are going to a zero tolerance policy when it comes to underaged gambling.”
When someone is carded at the casino, the doorman first takes a picture of the front and the back of the ID. Next, the card is swiped to determine the true birth date and expiration date.
There is an ultraviolet light to check for hidden state symbols on the ID.
Doormen also have a reference book with pictures and descriptions of all international and U.S. ID cards.
“If there are any discrepancies, I will not let you in,” said Emile Ramirez, customer safety officer for Harrah’s. “If I let you in here (Harrah’s), and you’re underaged, I can lose my job.”
The casino is not legally responsible when a minor uses another person’s valid ID to gain entry.
But when minors are able to walk in without being carded, casinos and their employees take the heat.
Harrah’s has a program called Project 21 that encourages all employees to be on the look out for underage patrons.
Undercover officers also patrol the floor at times to catch minors on the gaming floor.
When a minor is caught, authorities refer to the video footage and ID pictures to find out who is to blame.
According to John Montgomery, shift supervisor at Harrah’s, there are several cameras watching every visitor who comes in.
Out-of-state gamblers also are responsible for knowing the law.
Craine says many patrons think that 18 is the legal age, because of other state’s laws.
Officials want students to know the laws and the risks.
“I hate for people to have this on their arrest record,” Hodges said.
“Using a fake ID is definitely not worth the risk,” Simmons said.
