BATON ROUGE (AP) — The state Department of Children and Family Services has intercepted more than $806,000 in casino winnings
from 599 parents to cover back child support payments.
Secretary Suzy Sonnier said Tuesday that the
casino intercept initiative has been a very successful tool in
collecting overdue
support. The department says collections from 18 participating
casinos range from a high of $106,771 from players at the Hollywood
Casino in Baton Rouge to a low of $12,218 at Harrah's Louisiana
Downs in Bossier City.
A pilot program was launched in September 2011 at Hollywood, netting $1,995 from a non-custodial father two days after its
start. Other states with similar laws include Mississippi, Indiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Colorado and West Virginia.