FinCEN Advisory: Structuring by Casino Patrons and Personnel

New Information Prompts Advisory

VIENNA, Va. – The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued an advisory on apparent structuring by casino patrons and personnel. Structuring is described as breaking up transactions for the purpose of evading Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting or recordkeeping requirements.

“Structuring is unlawful, and involves potential civil and criminal penalties under the BSA,” said FinCEN Director James H. Freis, Jr. “Each sector of the financial industry with BSA responsibilities plays an important role in defending our financial system from criminal abuse. The timely and accurate reporting of structuring, under the BSA, is a vital tool in law enforcement’s arsenal against financial crime.”

FinCEN recently received information from law enforcement and regulatory authorities that raises concerns about the current level of compliance with the obligations to guard against structuring.

The BSA requires casinos to implement a compliance program, file reports, and maintain certain records. A casino’s compliance program must be reasonably designed to manage the risk of illicit activity and ensure compliance with BSA requirements, including an obligation to detect and report evidence of structuring violations on FinCEN Form 102, Suspicious Activity Report by Casinos and Card Clubs. BSA reports and records are highly useful in criminal, tax, or regulatory investigations or proceedings.

The advisory is available on www.FinCEN.gov.

IT and Other Gaming Scams

August 19-20, 2009
Seattle, WA
http://www.josepheve.com/?p=seminar&n=seminar_sched
Topics Include:

* Internal/External Auditing
* Common Casino Compliance Problems
* Tools for Proactive Asset Protection
* Tribal Casino Surveillance
* Front of House/Back of House Scams
* Challenges in Server-Based Gaming
* Player’s Club
* Methodologies for Proactive Asset Protection
* Tribal Casino Information Technology
* Common Casino MICS IT Compliance Problems

Instructors:

Barron Stringfellow, Barron Stringfellow is a Senior Consultant for JOSEPH EVE. He is a Bank Secrecy Act/Title 31 Compliance Specialist and performs risk assessments and Title 31 audits for JOSEPH EVE. Barron also writes Internal Control’s and Policies & Procedure’s. Mr. Stringfellow is well versed in IGRA, NIGC & minimum internal control standards. In the past, Barron has held Director of Surveillance and Gaming Commission positions in both Tribal and Non-Tribal Venues. Mr. Stringfellow is an expert on gaming scams and gaming cheats. He was with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s youth narcotics task force for 4 1/2 years. He has been in the gaming industry for over than 30 years.

Krishna Mandava, is an IT Consultant and auditor with JOSEPH EVE. Mr. Mandava has experience in NIGC MICS Compliance and IT auditing. Some of the clients he has worked with in the past include, Harrah’s Rincon Casino, Kwataqnuk Casino, Grey Wolf Peak Casino, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. His current clients include Sac and Fox Casino, Lucky 7 Casino, Laposta Casino, St. Croix Casino, and Ho-Chunk Casino.

CLOSE OUT SPECIAL: 2008 Indian Gaming Cost of Doing Business Report for $299!

2009 CODB Coming Soon. Please contact us if you wish to participate.

JOSEPH EVE’s Indian Gaming Cost of Doing Business Report is a valuable business management aid designed as a tool for financial analysis and planning. This report is the only publication that contains detailed operating statistics for Indian Gaming operations. You will see how your gaming operation’s performance measures up to the industry standards we have developed by compiling this data from tribes around the country. Using the information in the report, you can learn what changes you can make to improve your own operation.

Title 31 Compliance Onine Exam

Our newest service is an on-line exam, which tests your employees’ knowledge of Title 31 Compliance concepts. To purchase a block of exams, click here.

Serenic Navigator Fund Accounting Software

Because of JOSEPH EVE’s expertise in tribal accounting, Serenic Software has partnered with us to act as a reseller and installer of its award-winning Navigator fund accounting software. Navigator is a comprehensive, fully integrated accounting product designed for the public sector, so it is ideal for tribal governments and organizations. It greatly increases efficiency and simplifies financial management, saving you time and money in the audit process. We can help your tribal government or organization assess its accounting and finance needs and customize Navigator to meet those needs. We provide specialized training for your staff and ongoing support after the system is installed. For more information, call our Kalispell office at (406) 752-5225 and/or click here.

Insourced and Outsourced Accounting Services

JOSEPH EVE now offers insourced and outsourced accounting services for tribal governments and enterprises. Many of our tribal clients in geographically remote areas have difficulty attracting accounting professionals. By placing JOSEPH EVE staff on-site (insourcing), or by taking advantage of technology to provide services remotely (outsourcing), we will be able to provide a client’s entire accounting infrastructure – hardware, software, and human capital – or whatever part of it they need. For more information on how we can assist your tribe, see the Tribal Accounting Services page, or call (406) 752-5225 for more information.

NIGC Announces 2008 Revenues

Today at a gaming conference in the nation’s capital, the National Indian Gaming Commission released data showing that the revenues generated by the Indian gaming industry in 2008 continued to show growth. Commission Chairman Phil Hogen, speaking at the annual conference of the North American Gaming Regulators Association, reported that 2008 gross gaming revenue exceeded the industry’s 2007 revenues by more than $500 million. Gross gaming revenue totaled $26.7 billion, an increase of 2.3% over the prior year.

More than 240 of the nation’s 562 Indian tribes engage in gaming. They operate more than 400 casinos and bingo halls spread throughout 28 states.

The industry’s growth was less than it has been in recent years. Hogen observed, “We know that the economic downturn has impacted casino and bingo hall patrons, and reports from many tribal gaming facilities reflect that. We are often told that while patrons appear to be visiting tribal gaming facilities as often as in the past, they seem to spend less per visit than before the downturn’s onset. The modest growth reflected in these numbers would seem to show that Indian gaming remains a strong and effective means of economic development for Indian nations.”

Hogen explained that the figures released were compiled from independent audits required annually of all tribal gaming operations by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The gross gaming revenues represent the amounts bet or wagered by gaming patrons, less the amounts paid out as wins or prizes. Expenses to build and operate gaming facilities must be paid from gross revenues before tribes may use the funds for other governmental purposes
Individual tribes’ revenue information is proprietary information, and thus no breakdown for particular operations is available or set forth in the data.

Hogen also pointed out that the audits are done after the close of each tribal operation’s fiscal year. Nearly half the gaming operations’ fiscal years end on September 30, another 40% end on December 31, and the remainder end on other dates. Hogen explained, “As has been the case with all the similar annual venue reports we have issued, these numbers don’t show exact results by calendar year; some tribes’ fiscal years end before the calendar year ends. As a result, some of the economic downturn’s impact may not be fully reflected in these numbers.”

Hogen also explained that while much of the industry’s growth was attributed to more business at many existing facilities, a portion of it was attributable to new facilities.

The Commission’s data also profiles revenue generated by gaming facilities by region and by sizes of the facilities.

The Commission has divided the country into seven regions. The data show that the growth occurred in the two regions that include Oklahoma (home to 31 gaming tribes), Kansas and Texas. Decreases were reflected in the regions that include California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.

The data indicate that gaming revenues are not distributed equally among the gaming tribes. Facilities with annual revenues of less than $100 million constitute over 80% of the more than 400 operations, while fewer than 20% of the operations generate about 70% of the $26.7 billion in revenues.

“It’s obvious that tribes continue to provide attractive and high-quality gaming entertainment to the public,” Hogen stated. “I’m convinced that the vigilant regulatory structure which oversees it—from the primary tribal regulators, to the State regulators participating pursuant to tribal-state compacts, as well as our federal oversight agency— contributes to the continued success of the industry and instills needed confidence that gaming is fair and that the tribal assets and revenues are secure.”

The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

Upcoming Seminars

May:

What’s New in Indian Gaming
Oklahoma City, OK

Law Enforcement in Indian Gaming
New Orleans, LA

June:

Surveillance and Gaming Scams
Las Vegas, NV

August:

IT and Other Gaming Scams
Seattle, WA

Casino Internal Controls – Best Practices
Location to be determined

September:

Fraud Detection and Prevention
Las Vegas, NV

What’s New in Indian Gaming?
San Diego, CA

November:

Asset Protection
Location to be determined

December:

Internal Auditing Boot Camp
Las Vegas, NV

Asset Protection Boot Camp

Asset Protection Boot Camp
April 21-24, 2009
Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

Topics Include:

* Internal/External Auditing
* Common Casino Compliance Problems
* Tools for Proactive Asset Protection
* Tribal Casino Surveillance
* Front of House/Back of House Scams
* What Defines Identity Theft
* How Thieves Obtain and Use Personal Information
* Why Your Organization Should Be Concerned
* Credit Card Fraud
* Fraud Detection Techniques
* Link & Event The Investigators Tool Box

Instructors:

Barron Stringfellow, Barron Stringfellow is a Senior Consultant for JOSEPH EVE. He is a Bank Secrecy Act/Title 31 Compliance Specialist and performs risk assessments and Title 31 audits for JOSEPH EVE. Barron also writes Internal Control’s and Policies & Procedure’s. Mr. Stringfellow is well versed in IGRA, NIGC & minimum internal control standards. In the past, Barron has held Director of Surveillance and Gaming Commission positions in both Tribal and Non-Tribal Venues. Mr. Stringfellow is an expert on gaming scams and gaming cheats. He was with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s youth narcotics task force for 4 1/2 years. He has been in the gaming industry for over than 30 years.

Gene Turner’s background gives him a unique perspective on the topics of identity theft and personal safety. A professional magician and pickpocket entertainer, Gene has also worked in the insurance industry, for the Social Security Administration, in the advertising industry, and is an independent representative for legal services. He is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist. He understands the methods thieves use to steal your personal information.

Kathy Arata-Ward, CPA, CFE is a supervisor with JOSEPH EVE and has over 10 years experience conducting audits of Tribal Governments, casinos, cities and non-profit entities. For the past five years, Kathy has been a senior auditor and technical reviewer at JOSEPH EVE. Some of Kathy’s prior audit clients include Four Bears Casino, Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Gold Country Casino, Lucky Bear Casino, Sycuan Casino, Grand Traverse Band, Leech Lake Band, Santa Rosa Rancheria, and the Little River Band. Most recently, Kathy has been the lead auditor on numerous fraud engagements for JOSEPH EVE clients.

What’s new at NIGA’s Indian Gaming 09 in Phoenix during Apr 13-16?

niga09
• Attendee Registration rates are at ’08 pricing!
• Platinum Plus – NEW registration level – cost saving bundled package!!
• Discount Pricing – $50 per person for groups of 5 or more!
• NEW in Workshops, Certifications, Trainings, and Roundtables
» Level 1 Commissioner Certification – 1st time held in conjunction with
Trade Show! Attend two great events at one location!! An abundance of
information!
» Responding to Recession Track
» Basic and Advanced Sessions – a customized training experience
» Private Sector Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop
» Casino Department Roundtables
» Success Stories Track – What is working at tribal properties!!
• Chairman’s Welcome Reception – Featuring Crystal Shawanda
• Jam on the Rez – Wild Horse Pass Casino at
Gila River Featuring Gladys Knight
• Beautiful, new Phoenix Convention Center!
• Great host hotels: Hyatt Regency Phoenix and the New, just opened
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

NIGC Fees 2009 Preliminary Rate

Subject: 2009 Fee Rate; Preliminary
February 24,2009
The National lndian Gaming Commission (Commission) has adopted preliminary annual fee rates of 0.00% for tier 3 and 0.058% (.00058) for tier 2 for calendar year 2009. These rates shall apply to all assessable gross revenues from each gaming operation under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
If a tribe has a certificate of self-regulation under 25 CFR part 518, the preliminary fee rate on class II revenues for calendar year 2009 shall be one-half of the annual fee rate, which is 0.0290% (.000290).

The fees are due in four quarterly payments. Please remit payment to:
Finance Department
National Indian Gaming Commission
1441 L Street N.W., Suite 9100
Washington, DC 20005

Please be sure to use calendar year 2008 as the base period for determining 2009 fees payments. Also, please provide the following identifying information: name, address and telephone number of the gaming operation; name of licensing tribe; name, telephone number, and email address of contact person.

NIGC Fees 25 CFR 514

e-CFR Data is current as of March 17, 2009

Title 25: Indians
PART 514—FEES

§ 514.1 Annual fees.
(a) Each gaming operation under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall pay to the Commission annual fees as established by the Commission. The Commission, by a vote of not less than two of its members, shall adopt the rates of fees to be paid.
(1) The Commission shall adopt preliminary rates for each calendar year during the first quarter of that year (or as soon thereafter as possible), and, if considered necessary, shall modify those rates during the second and third quarters of the calendar year.
(2) The Commission shall adopt final rates of fees for each calendar year during the fourth quarter of that year.
(3) The Commission shall publish the rates of fees in a notice in theFederal Register.
(4) The rates of fees imposed shall be—
(i) No more than 2.5 percent of the first $1,500,000 (1st tier), and
(ii) No more than 5 percent of amounts in excess of the first $1,500,000 (2nd tier) of the assessable gross revenues from each gaming operation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(5) If a tribe has a certificate of self-regulation, the rate of fees imposed shall be no more than .25 percent of assessable gross revenues from self-regulated class II gaming operations.
(6) If a tribe is determined to be self-regulated pursuant to the provisions of 25 U.S.C. 2717(a)(2)(C), no fees shall be imposed.
(b) For purposes of computing fees, assessable gross revenues for each gaming operation are the annual total amount of money wagered on class II and III games, admission fees (including table or card fees), less any amounts paid out as prizes or paid for prizes awarded, and less an allowance for amortization of capital expenditures for structures.
(1) Unless otherwise provided by the regulations, generally accepted accounting principles shall be used.
(2) The allowance for amortization of capital expenditures for structures shall not exceed 5% of the cost of structures in use throughout the year and 21/2% of the cost of structures in use during only a part of the year.
(3) Example:
Gross gaming revenues:
Money wagered $1,000,000
Admission fees 5,000
1,005,000
Less:
Prizes paid in cash $500,000
Cost of other prizes awarded 10,000 510,000
Gross gaming profit 495,000
Less allowance for amortization of
capital expenditures for structures:
Capital expenditures for structures made in—
Prior years 750,000
Current year 50,000
800,000
Maximum allowance:
$750,000×.05 = 37,500
50,000×.025= 1,250 38,750
Assessable gross revenues $456,250
(4) All class II and III revenues from gaming operations are to be included.
(c) Each gaming operation subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission and not exempt from paying fees pursuant to the self-regulation provisions shall file with the Commission quarterly a statement showing its assessable gross revenues for the previous calendar year.
(1) These quarterly statements shall show the amounts derived from each type of game, the amounts deducted for prizes, and the amounts deducted for the amortization of structures;
(2) These quarterly statements shall be filed no later than—March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, of each calendar year the gaming operation is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, beginning in September 1991. For calendar year 1998, the quarterly statement for the first quarter shall be filed no later than April 13, 1998. Any changes or adjustments to the previous year’s assessable gross revenue amounts from one quarter to the next shall be explained.
(3) The quarterly statements shall identify an individual or individuals to be contacted should the Commission need to communicate further with the gaming operation. The telephone numbers of the individual(s) shall be included.
(4) The quarterly statements shall be transmitted to the Commission to arrive no later than the due date.
(5) Each gaming operation shall determine the amount of fees to be paid and remit them with the statement required in paragraph (c) of this section. The fees payable shall be computed using—
(i) The most recent rates of fees adopted by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section,
(ii) The assessable gross revenues for the previous calendar year as reported pursuant to this paragraph, and
(iii) The amounts paid and credits received during previous quarters.
(6) Each quarterly statement shall include the computation of the fees payable, showing all amounts used in the calculations. The required calculations are as follows:
(i) Multiply the previous calendar year’s 1st tier assessable gross revenues by the rate for those revenues adopted by the Commission.
(ii) Multiply the previous calendar year’s 2nd tier assessable gross revenues by the rate for those revenues adopted by the Commission.
(iii) Add (total) the results (products) obtained in paragraphs (c)(6) (i) and (ii) of this section.
(iv) Multiply the total obtained in paragraph (c)(6)(iii) of this section by the fraction representing the quarter for which the computation is being made: 1st quarter—1/4; 2nd quarter—1/2(2/4); 3rd quarter—3/4; and 4th quarter—1 (4/4). For the purpose of making these computations in 1991 only, the third calendar quarter is the first quarter and the fourth calendar quarter is the second quarter. There will be no third or fourth quarter in 1991.
(v) Subtract the amounts already remitted by the operation for the current year and credits, if any, which are due for any previous year’s overpayment from the amount determined in paragraph (c)(6)(iv) of this section.
(vi) The amount computed in paragraph (c)(6)(v) of this section is the amount to be remitted.
(7) Examples of fee computations follow:
(i) Example 1: Where a filing is made for the first quarter of the calendar year, the previous year’s assessable gross revenues are $2,000,000, the fee rates adopted by the Commission are 2% on the first $1,500,000 and 4% on the remainder, and a credit of $2,000 is due from the previous year, the amounts to be used and the computations to be made are as follows:
1st tier revenues—$1,500,000×2%= $30,000
2nd tier revenues—500,000×4%= 20,000
Annual fees 50,000
Multiply for fraction of year— 1/4 or .25
Fees for first quarter 12,500
Deduct credit due 2,000
Amount to be remitted $10,500
(ii) Example 2: Where a filing is being made for the third quarter, the previous year’s assessable gross revenues are $5,000,000, the fee rates adopted by the Commission are 1% on the first $1,500,000 and 1.5% on the remainder, and $35,000 has already been remitted, the amounts to be used and the computations to be made are as follows:
1st tier revenues—$1,500,000×1%= $15,000
2nd tier revenues—3,500,000×1.5%= 52,500
Annual fees 67,500
Multiply for fraction of year— 3/4 or .75
Fees for first three quarters 50,625
Deduct amounts already remitted 135.000
Amount to be remitted $15,625
1This amount may be other than $33,750 ($67,500×.50) because the assessable gross revenues may have been adjusted, the fee rate may have changed, a credit for the previous year’s overpayment may have been received, or a clerical error may have been discovered.
(iii) Example 3: Where a filing is being made for the third quarter of 1991, the previous year’s assessable gross revenues are $5,000,000, the fee rates adopted by the Commission are 1% on the first $1,500,000 and 1% on the remainder, and nothing has already been remitted, the amounts to be used and the computations to be made are as follows:
1st tier revenues—$1,500,000×1%= $15,000
2nd tier revenues—3,500,000×1%= 35,000
Annual fees 50,000
Multiply for fraction of year—1/4 or .25
Fees for first quarter 12,500
Deduct amounts already remitted -0-
Amount to be remitted $12,500
(8) Quarterly statements, remittances and communications about fees shall be transmitted to the Commission at the following address: Office of Finance, National Indian Gaming Commission, 1441 L Street, N.W., Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005. Checks should be made payable to the National Indian Gaming Commission (do not remit cash).
(9) The Commission may assess a penalty for failure to file timely a quarterly statement.
(10) Interest shall be assessed at rates established from time to time by the Secretary of the Treasury on amounts remaining unpaid after their due date (31 U.S.C. 3717).
(d) The total amount of all fees imposed during any fiscal year shall not exceed the statutory maximum imposed by Congress. The Commission shall credit pro-rata any fees collected in excess of this amount against amounts otherwise due at the end of the quarter following the quarter during which the Commission makes such determination.
(1) The Commission will notify each gaming operation as to the amount of overpayment, if any, and therefore the amount of credit to be taken against the next quarterly payment otherwise due.
(2) The notification required in paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall be made in writing addressed to the gaming operation.
(e) Failure to pay fees, any applicable penalties, and interest related thereto may be grounds for:
(1) Closure, or
(2) Disapproving or revoking the approval of the Chairman of any license, ordinance, or resolution required under this Act for the operation of gaming.
(f) To the extent that revenue derived from fees imposed under the schedule established under this paragraph are not expended or committed at the close of any fiscal year, such funds shall remain available until expended (Pub. L. 101–121; 103 Stat. 718; 25 U.S.C. 2717a) to defray the costs of operations of the Commission.
[56 FR 40709, Aug. 15, 1991; 56 FR 57373, Nov. 8, 1991, as amended at 63 FR 12316, Mar. 12, 1998; 69 FR 2505, Jan. 16, 2004]

Source: NIGC.GOV

Title 31 and MICS Best Practices

March 25-26, 2009
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
Click Here to Register for This Seminar Click Here to Order the Seminar Materials

Topics Include:

* Recent Developments with FinCen and Lack of Adequate SARC Reporting
* OFAC and SDN Compliance
* Title 31 Risk Assessments
* Money Laundering Defined
* Tracking Casino Transactions
* Developing Compliance Programs
* Internal and External Auditing of Title 31
* Compliance Checklists and Audit Programs
* Suspicious Activity Reporting

Instructors:

Barron Stringfellow, Barron Stringfellow is a Senior Consultant for JOSEPH EVE. He is a Bank Secrecy Act/Title 31 Compliance Specialist and performs risk assessments and Title 31 audits for JOSEPH EVE. Barron also writes Internal Control’s and Policies & Procedure’s. Mr. Stringfellow is well versed in IGRA, NIGC & minimum internal control standards. In the past, Barron has held Director of Surveillance and Gaming Commission positions in both Tribal and Non-Tribal Venues. Mr. Stringfellow is an expert on gaming scams and gaming cheats. He was with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s youth narcotics task force for 4 1/2 years. He has been in the gaming industry for over than 30 years.