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The Gulf Coast was devastated by the BP oil spill in many ways. Not only was the environment effected but hundreds of businesses and companies were affected as well. One such business that was affected by the spill was the casino industry. Hundreds if not thousands of workers were short on cash as people were not visiting the area to enjoy the many games such as blackjack and craps. VP has offering a compensation fund for those affected and many table game dealers have tried to earn their compensation. However they have been denied. $20 million dollars has been set aside for the compensation fund for victims of the oil spill however the casino workers have been denied any funds.
Hundreds who have worked at casinos in the Gulf have requested funds including waitresses, bartenders, dealers and bellhops. These people do not make a great deal of money, most of their earnings come in tips, where were cut off almost completely when the oil spill occurred and tourism stopped.
Beverly Martin the executive director of the Mississippi Casino Operators Association commented that she has received over five hundred emails from casino employees that state they have been denied funds from the BP compensation program.
To try and remedy the situation Kenneth Feinberg who is the attorney that is in charge of the claims facility met with Martin as well as other officials from the state and casinos and he stated that another look will be given to the denied claims of the casino workers. Feinberg stated that casino employees can reapply for interim payments if they can show paperwork that displays that they lost tips and wages this summer.
2010-12-31
