Let me explain how it works. Casinos don't want to admit it, but they use credit as a marketing tool. Unlike casinos in other jurisdictions where winnings are taxed based on customer losses regardless of whether the casino collects, in Nevada the tax is on the losses actually collected. Therefore Nevada casino's can use markers as a competitive marketing tool saying "Come gamble with us rather than Monte Carlo etc. because we will give you credit." They don't have to pay taxes on uncollected winnings.

When a casino gives a marker they ask for bank information. But the marker itself does not have a bank account on it like a regular check. If gambler "A" gets a million dollar marker, the casino knows he doesn't have a million dollars sitting in his checking account drawing 0% interest. The money is elsewhere earing interest.

If the customer doesn't pay within a certain period of time (depends on the customer -- all customers are "not cut from the same bolt of cloth"), the casino types the account info onto the marker and submits it to the DA. The DA gets a cut of all monies collected.

My experience/knowledge is primarily with foreign marketing. But the casino's get the foreign customers to pay because many have family or children in the US going to school. They cannot come and see their family/children if there is an arrest warrant out.

It is a VERY dirty business.

The protections of a union collective bargaining agreement are only as good as the willingness of union shop stewards and officials to go to bat for the members. Union members have no right to pursue grievences (even at their own expense) without the union's blessing.

That said, Mr. Kocienski had a contract with the Mirage. It appears The MGM Mirage could have saved itself alot of money and embarassment by simply paying off Mr. Kocienski under his contract. Instead, it appears that MGM Mirage has fallen victim to the "arrogance of power". Nobody is above the law -- including MGM Mirage.