Maybe. But it could also be that the seller is manipulating the operation of your games to obtain higher payouts for “select” customers or that the seller is buying games out when they are especially profitable. For example, rather than close a game that has $1,000 in prizes left but only $800 in unsold tickets, the seller might inform a friend of the situation and sell the game out instead. Or, the seller might quickly put new games into play rather than allow players to buy from games for which the odds are not in the player’s favor.
The LG861 helps to identify temporary theft. Occasionally we find situations in which a bar owner “borrows” money from the paper pull-tab cash drawers and then pays back only the amount needed to cover the deposit for the most recently closed game. This temporary theft often turns into a significant theft before it is discovered. Requiring the sellers to record the amount of cash in each paper pull-tab drawer on a daily basis can minimize this type of theft.
First, by law any person, paid or not, who sells paper pull-tabs for your organization is acting as an agent/employee for your organization. That makes your organization their boss—at least as far as selling paper pulltabs is concerned—and your organization has every right to insist that the required forms are properly completed.
Ultimately your organization is responsible for ensuring completion of the required forms. Because missing or incomplete game tracking records can result in citations, fines, or other sanctions, it may be better for your organization to discontinue gambling at a premises where employees refuse to do the required paperwork.
The LG861 gives you information at a glance on a daily basis, not when it is too late to detect a potential theft. Insurance companies are more likely to pay on a claim if your organization keeps carefully documented records on its assets.
Doing a game audit with a breakdown of the winning tickets is more accurate, makes it easier to detect errors in the audit, and can prevent theft. This method is also used by the Gambling Control Board, by accountants when doing a required audit, and by the Department of Revenue. Having the person verify the audit with their signature increases accountability to your organization.
Your organization will be advised to take corrective action within 60 days as is the normal process in a compliance review. Repeat violations could result in a citation or CRG referral.
