Virginia Gaming Commission

  
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In this May 16, 2013, photo, Rod Ratcliff, CEO of Centaur gaming, owner of racinos, smiles during an interview. The Indiana Gaming Commission voted Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, to force Ratcliff to give up his ownership stake in a Lake Michigan casino and a new casino being built in Gary, Indiana, saying he had continued exerting control over its parent company in violation of state orders. Craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events.

INDIANANPOLIS (AP) — State officials allege a longtime key player in Indiana’s gambling industry wrongly funneled nearly $1 million in casino company money into his own horse race wagering account and made improper job offers to government lobbyists.

The Indiana Gaming Commission filed documents this week seeking to permanently revoke former Spectacle Entertainment CEO Rod Ratcliff’s gaming license.

The commission voted in December for a temporary emergency suspension of Ratcliff’s license as it tried to force him to give up his ownership stake in Indianapolis-based Spectacle, which owns the existing Lake Michigan casino in Gary and a new $300 million casino being built to replace it at a more lucrative inland Gary location.

That ownership order, which Ratcliff is challenging in court, has thrown into doubt the planned opening of the new casino in the coming months.

The commission’s new filing against Ratcliff said his “association with gaming in Indiana must cease.”

“Any perception that (Ratcliff’s) multiple and brazen violations would not be met with the most significant consequence available would diminish the integrity and reputation of the industry and the Commission,” the filing said. “Furthermore, it would send a dangerous message to other Indiana licensees that such behavior will be tolerated in Indiana.”

A spokesman for Ratcliff said the commission acted “hastily and improperly” in December without a full hearing.

Ratcliff looks forward “to his day in court to contest these baseless allegations,” spokesman Robert Vane said in a statement to news outlets.

The commission’s filing against Ratcliff says he had employees at his former company, Centaur Gaming, transfer about $900,000 to his personal horse waging account under the description “marketing other.” Ratcliff did not disclose the account’s earnings as required for his state gambling license, the complaint said.

Other allegations include that Ratcliff offered two unnamed lobbyists executive positions in Spectacle Entertainment even though they had no previous casino management experience. One of them was given Spectacle ownership shares and then a “significant monetary settlement” when the job offer was withdrawn, but the commission said those actions were not reported to state regulators as required.

Ratcliff has 20 days to respond to the filing against his gambling license before it is considered by an administrative law judge and then the commission’s board, commission Deputy Director Jennifer Reske said.

The state investigation of Spectacle and Ratcliff began in January 2020 after a federal investigation emerged into allegations that a longtime Ratcliff business partner, former Spectacle vice president John Keeler, illegally funneled casino company money to a former state lawmaker’s unsuccessful 2016 Republican congressional campaign.

The commission says Ratcliff was involved in that scheme, with its filing including an email from a Ratcliff employee and his electronic calendar about an April 2015 meeting at Indianapolis International Airport with a Virginia political consultant who was sentenced last year on federal fraud charges.

Ratcliff and Keeler, a lawyer who was a Republican legislator for 16 years in the 1980s and 90s, have lobbied the Indiana Legislature for many years on casino matters. They pushed lawmakers in 2019 to allow the Gary casino’s move and construction of a new casino in Terre Haute. They were forced last year to give up ownership in the Terre Haute project to a business partner.

In 2019, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb faced a state ethics review of his dealings with Ratcliff.

Ratcliff and Keeler were leaders of the former Centaur Gaming and among those who formed Spectacle after selling Centaur’s horse track casinos in Anderson and Shelbyville to Caesars Entertainment Corp. in 2018 for $1.7 billion.

Centaur was a key lobbying force behind the Legislature’s decision that allowed both horse tracks to open the first Indianapolis-area casinos in 2008.

**There is no expedited or same-day service.**

Virginia

The Virginia Department of State Police is prohibited from disseminating juvenile record information except as provided in §19.2-389.1 of the Code of Virginia.

There are two methods of obtaining a Virginia criminal history record check. This will entail Virginia conviction data only. To receive Virginia arrest/charge data, a fingerprint card must accompany form SP-167. Listed below are the two required forms:

Criminal history record dissemination is governed by Section 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia.

Requests for criminal record searches must be executed by the submission of a signed and notarized “Criminal Record Name Search” form SP-167. The instructions for the completion of this form are included with the document. This form can be viewed, downloaded and/or printed by visiting the Virginia State Police Forms page.

Examples of entities/individuals eligible to use this form are:

  • Individuals
  • General Public
  • Private Companies

NOTE: You MUST be an approved Virginia agency.

Criminal history record dissemination submitted on the SP-230 is governed by Section 19.2-389 of the Code of Virginia. Pursuant to this section, the following non-criminal justice entities are empowered to receive criminal record name searches using the SP-230 form. This form does not require notarization.

  • Domestic/ International Adoptions & Foster Care Agencies
  • Hospital Pharmacy Employees
  • Adult Home Care Facilities
  • Licensed Homes for Adults
  • District Homes for Adults
  • Adult Day Care Centers
  • Licensed Child Care Centers
  • Unlicensed Child Care Centers
  • Cities/Counties Under a Duly Enacted Ordinance
  • Licensed Assisted Living Facilites

The following agencies are entitled to receive complete criminal record information from CCRE as specified by law:

  • Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
  • Specific Volunteer Agencies
  • Foster Care Agencies*
  • Domestic/International Adoption Agencies
  • Gaming Commission
  • Office of Interdepartmental Regulations*
  • State Lottery*
  • Armed & Unarmed Security Guard Companies
  • Court Order/Subpoena
  • Public School Boards*
  • State Corporation Commission
  • State Board of Elections
  • Volunteer Fire & Rescue Depts.
  • VISA/Passports for International Travel
  • Virginia Racing Commission*
  • Depts. Social Services–Mental Health/Retardation Substance Abuse*
  • Virginia Power

West Virginia Gaming Commission Phone Number

*Statutes provide for submission of fingerprints for state and federal search of fingerprint files at a cost of $13.75 for CCRE search and $13.25 for search of Federal Bureau of Investigation file; total $27.00 fee. Click here for information on how to obtain fingerprints for non-criminal purposes.
Since these entities are statutorily entitled to criminal name searches, the State Police has developed the Non-criminal Justice Interface (NCJI). This program is explained on the Central Criminal Records Exchange page, and a name search produces electronic responses within 72 hours, or less.

Please email specific questions to: Criminal Record Check or call (804) 674-2131.

Background Check FAQ

I am a citizen and would like to run a background check on someone. How do I do this?

To complete a Virginia criminal record background check on someone, a SP-167 form must be completed. Each individual must sign and have your signatures notarized. Please click on the following link to take you to the SP-167 form.

I sent my background check a few weeks ago and the check cleared. What is the status of my request?

The processing time to complete a Criminal Record background check is approximately 15 business days after mail-in. If it has passed that time frame and your confirmed payment has been cleared, please email us at Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov. Please include the name and date of birth of the individual being searched, the date you submitted it and whether it was a $15 or $20 background check.

I need a background check for employment/adoption/school/housing. How do I do this?

You must complete an SP-167 form. Please go to vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov, and where you see 'form' please choose the correct form (either SP-167 for individual requests or SP-230 for acceptable businesses). After typing in the correct information, click 'confirm.' After you confirm all information is correct, click on submit. This will generate the form, which you will need to print. Have your signature notarized under 'affidavit for release of information' and agency or individual receiving the results (mail reply to section) must also have signature notarized under 'signature of person making request' (SP-167) and mail the form to us with payment. We recommend making a copy for yourself.

I need a background check and I need it quickly. Is there a way to expedite this?

No, there is no same day or expedited service. If you live in the Richmond, Virginia, area, you may drop your form off at Virginia State Police Headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235. You must show two forms of ID and bring the exact amount for payment, either cash or money order. You may also mail your form in by next day air (at your cost) and include a next day air return envelope (at your cost). Processing credit card payments takes a little longer, so you may want to pay with a money order, certified check or business check.

Can I get my background check in person?

You may complete and drop off your form at the Virginia Department of State Police Headquarters at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23235, but your form will not be processed the same day. The processing time to complete a background check is approximately 15 business days. You may choose to put your phone number along with a note on your form for us to call you to pick-up your form when completed.

How long will it take to get my background check?

The usual processing time takes about 15 to 20 business days from time of receipt after mail-in.

Something on my record is incorrect. How do I fix this?

Please contact the arresting agency.

I am in prison and need my criminal history. Can you waive the fee for this?

A fee is charged on all background checks to cover processing costs.

I am overseas and need a criminal history check. How do I do this?

You must complete an SP-167 form. Please go to the vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov and, where you see 'form,' please choose the SP-167. Choose 'VISA' as the purpose (this will ensure you receive a notarized letter along with you background check). After typing in the correct information, click on 'confirm.' After you confirm all information is correct, click on 'submit.' This will generate the form, which you will need to print. Have your signature and agency signatures notarized (SP-167) and mail the form to us with payment. We recommend making a copy for yourself. If you cannot access a notary, www.notarycam.com provides online notaries.

Can you provide a report for a charge showing up on my criminal history?

No. Please contact the arresting agency. Virginia State Police arrest reports are not releasable to the public.

I cannot find the SP-167 form on your web site. Where can I find it?

The following link will take you to the form that must be generated and printed online: vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov

What am I getting when I submit a SP-167 to the state police?

The SP-167 runs a background check on Virginia Convictions only.

I need a certified background check to apply for a VISA, how do I obtain this?

You must complete an SP-167 form. Please go to vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov and, where you see 'form,' please choose the SP-167. After typing in the correct information, click on 'confirm.' After you confirm all information is correct, click on 'submit.' This will generate the form, which you will need to print. Have your signature notarized under 'affidavit for release of information' and agency or individual receiving the results (mail reply to section) must also have signature notarized under 'signature of person making request' and mail the form to us with payment. We recommend making a copy for yourself. A certified letter will be sent along with your completed request.

How can I get a national criminal records check?

Please go to the following link for a national background check through the FBI.

If you are hiring prospective employees or volunteers who will have access to children, elderly, or individuals with disabilities and want to request a national fingerprint-based background check under the National Child Protection Act, please contact our accounts section to set up a tracking number by emailing: ncjihelp@vsp.virginia.gov.

I am an employer and need a SP-230 for an applicant. Where is this form located?

Virginia Gaming Commission

Please click on the following link to generate and print the form: vspapps.vsp.virginia.gov. Please make sure you are an approved Virginia agency before submitting the form.

West Virginia State Gaming Commission

I can’t print my SP-167 form. What do I do?

Clean out your temporary internet files and cookies. Try using a different browser. On a Windows desktop, click on my computer, then downloads and open the downloads file. You should see an Adobe icon for the form if it generated properly.

Please email:
Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov.

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NOTE: If you have questions about firearms background checks, please email:
firearms@vsp.virginia.gov.