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Bobbi Kristina investigated for underage gambling

May 23, 2012 Chellie Cervone
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Celebrity News, Celebrity Gossip, Celebrity Rumors | CelebrityFeast.com
 

Bobbi Kristina, daughter of Bobby Brown and the late great Whitney Houston, was caught on tape gambling at the MGM Grand while in town for the 2012 Bill Board Music AwardsBobbi Kristina investigated for underage gambling is now making the headlines due to that tape and has prompted an investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

I can tell you this is a huge no no.  First of all, Bobbi grew up in New Jersey and knows that the legal age is 21. Seriously.  There is no question about whether she should be fined. She should. Even with Bobbi Kristina investigated for underage gambling, the fact is a lot of other things will be factored in.

The real question is will anyone be fined at the MGM Grand.  I can tell you from experience that all casino employees receive extensive and regular training in the area of underage gambling.  A lot of time is spent on it. The truth is, some people look older and it can be difficult to “tell” if someone is of legal age to gamble or not..  That is why many casinos have a rule that if someone appears to be under the age of 30, then the casino employee needs to ask for identification

TMZ mentioned in their article, It’s unclear if Bobbi actually won any money … but it’s highly unlikely she walked away with anything significant … because casinos usually require an I.D. before handing over large prizes … and ya gotta be 21 to gamble in Vegas.

Being from the gaming industry, I can tell you that casinos do not “usually” require identification for a large prize.  They REQUIRE it if you are playing the slots.  If you are playing the slots and win a jackpot of $1,200 or more, identification is required.  Period.  If someone does not have their identification, the money is placed in safekeeping until they can produce identification.

The problem is that casino employees have a lot of area to cover and the casino’s can get quite busy – especially during a major event such as the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. Further, sometimes the employees are hoping for a big tip so it is possible that some employees knew who she was and how old she was.  If that is the case, any employees involved as well as the MGM Grand could face fines since it is a very serious matter.

On the other hand, there is the possibility that the employees servicing that area did not know and there were no flags that she was under 21.  After all, she was dressed up and was apparently surrounded by people who looked of age.

I remember working in a major strip casino and a celebrity hit a $25,000 jackpot.  Since it was substantial jackpot, I was called over to verify it.  This unnamed celebrity, a person who talks very tough in his roles and yet surprisingly sounds almost wimpy in real life, handed me the identification of the person sitting with him.  I just “had a feeling” that the celebrity was the one who hit the jackpot since he was sitting in front of it and appeared “cagey”.  I went and reviewed the surveillance footage of the jackpot and, sure enough, the celebrity was the one who hit it.  I went back over, politely explained that he hit the jackpot and was responsible for providing his ID.  Although he was annoyed, he handed over his ID and the jackpot was then paid. He really endeared himself further to the staff when he failed to provide a customary tip.

Let’s hope Bobbi Kristina is not developing the, “I can do anything I want attitude because I am a (mini) celebrity”.

Should Bobbi Kristina be fined for underage gambling at MGM Grand casino during 2012 Billboard Music Awards event