Officials Conduct Alcohol, Gambling Checks During College Celebrations

ABC News 5

By Cassie Hart

September 29, 2015

Officials will be making sure bars on or near college campuses are serving alcohol responsibly and legally during traditional college celebrations.

The Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (DPS-AGED) conduct random compliance checks that focus on liquor license inspections that include required license postings, records and receipts, and checking the purity of alcohol. DPS-AGED agents will also review legal gambling activities, such as pull tabs, and investigate any potentially illegal sports betting.

“The Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division’s mission is to educate licensed alcohol establishments and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed and keep their customers safe,” Michele Tuchner, director of DPS-AGED, said. “Through education, enforcement and working together, we can all make a difference in our community.”

After the completion of the compliance checks, DPS-AGED will provide a review of the findings and distribute educational materials about over-service and underage drinking.

Gambling Responsibilities

• With football season underway, establishments need to know that football boards for pay are illegal and considered gambling.

• Outside of licensed charitable organizations, gambling that consists of consideration, chance and prize is illegal. Removing one of those three elements would make that activity legal.

• Establishments that host licensed charitable gambling, such as pull-tabs, can risk losing their license if football boards or other illegal gambling is conducted on the premises.

Serving Alcohol Responsibly and Legally

• Almost one-in-five traffic fatalities among 16- to 20-year-olds are drunk driving-related. It is critical that those who serve alcohol refuse service to anyone under 21.

• AGED reminds establishments to ID every customer ordering alcohol every time.

• Criminal charges and civil lawsuits can be filed against establishments and servers for both over-service and underage service.

• It is illegal for a liquor establishment to permit any person under the age of 21 to drink alcohol on the licensed premises.

• It is illegal for a licensed retailer to provide alcohol to a minor. If the minor suffers great bodily harm or death as a result of intoxication, the provider can be charged with a felony.

Signs of Intoxication

• Establishments should educate servers on monitoring signs of impairment and stop serving customers when those signs become apparent. Signs include:
• Loss of coordination
• Impaired judgment
• Reaction time is affected
• Inhibitions become relaxed
•    Slurred speech