This one is a bit interesting to read. This poster on Redditor has this unique problem going on:
Being Tracked
My boss is nosey. My coworker used to have a gambling problem and my boss somehow was notified every time he stepped in the local casino and how much he had won or lost. He still gets text every time said coworker enters a casino. I have started playing a bit and my boss knows. Can I ask the casino not to tell outside parties about my presence. This is in Oklahoma. My boss has has a lot of local influence with the state troopers and many local police departments.
My coworker won around 100 grand one year. One day he hit a 15k jackpot and dropped out of community college (which my boss was paying partly for). My boss got a text that day telling how he won the jackpot. He gets text every time my coworker even pulls into the casino to get gas. They have license plate cameras and facial recognition. My boss was telling us about this one day and said he still gets text every time my coworker gambles. A year or so after he won all the money, he banned himself. He is back now and gambles some. My boss does not gamble. Doesn’t go to the casino. And I don’t think he knows anyone at the casino. I think his connection is through law enforcement. I’m just not sure how that works. And I wonder if is illegal? I like my boss he is a good guy if not a little over bearing.
Your boss receiving real-time texts about your coworker’s casino activity—whether he’s gambling or just grabbing gas—suggests a level of surveillance that’s highly unusual. The fact that he got a text the day your coworker hit a $15,000 jackpot and that he’s still getting updates even after your coworker banned himself from the casino points to a system that’s actively tracking specific individuals. Add in the mention of license plate cameras and facial recognition, and it sounds like the casino (or someone connected to it) is using advanced tech to monitor patrons.
Your boss’s claim that he doesn’t know anyone at the casino and doesn’t gamble himself makes it more likely that his law enforcement connections are the key here. This could be a serious overreach, and depending on how the info is being shared, it might skirt or outright cross legal boundaries.
Step 1: Understand the Casino’s Tracking Systems
The details about license plate cameras and facial recognition are a big clue. Many Oklahoma casinos, like WinStar or Choctaw, use surveillance tech for security and marketing. License plate readers can track vehicles entering the property, and facial recognition can identify patrons in gaming areas. These systems are often tied to player’s club databases or security protocols to flag high rollers, banned individuals, or potential security risks. Your coworker, having won $100,000 in a year and then self-banning, might have been flagged in the casino’s system, which could explain why his movements are still being tracked.
Here’s what you can do to minimize tracking:
- Ask the casino about their surveillance practices. Contact the casino’s security or privacy office (most tribal casinos have a compliance team) and ask how they use license plate readers and facial recognition. Specifically, inquire if they share this data with third parties, like law enforcement, and under what conditions. For example, Casino Oklahoma’s privacy policy (per their website) says they only share data with third parties for business operations or legal compliance, but you’ll want to confirm this for your specific casino.
- Opt out of identifiable systems. If you’re using a player’s club card or app, stop. These programs link your identity to your gambling activity. Play anonymously with cash to avoid being tracked via loyalty programs. If you’ve already signed up, ask the casino to delete your data or opt you out of marketing and tracking programs, as allowed under Oklahoma’s Computer Data Privacy Act (HB 1030).
- Mask your vehicle. If license plate readers are an issue, consider parking off-site or using a rideshare to enter the casino property. This won’t dodge facial recognition inside, but it reduces one data point. Be aware, though, that facial recognition might still pick you up if you’re in their database (e.g., from a player’s club signup or past ID checks).
Step 2: Investigate Your Boss’s Law Enforcement Connection
Your suspicion that your boss’s info comes through law enforcement is a critical piece of the puzzle. The fact that he gets texts about your coworker’s every move—including non-gambling activities like getting gas—suggests he’s tapped into a system that’s either automated or involves someone with access to real-time casino data. Here are some possibilities:
- Law enforcement data sharing. Casinos often work with law enforcement to share data on high-risk individuals (e.g., those with gambling addictions or criminal records) or to comply with federal regulations like anti-money laundering laws. Your coworker’s $100,000 win might have triggered scrutiny (casinos report large transactions to the IRS via Currency Transaction Reports for anything over $10,000). If your boss has a contact in law enforcement, they might be getting informal tip-offs about your coworker’s activities, especially if he’s still flagged as a self-excluded gambler.
- Misuse of surveillance access. Some law enforcement agencies have agreements with casinos to access surveillance feeds or data for security purposes. If your boss has a buddy in the state troopers or local police, they could be abusing this access to get real-time updates on your coworker (and possibly you). This would be a major ethical and legal violation unless there’s an active investigation justifying it.
- Private surveillance service. Less likely, but possible, is that your boss is using a private service that aggregates casino data (e.g., a security firm with casino ties). However, since he doesn’t gamble or know casino staff, this seems less plausible than a law enforcement link.
To figure out what’s happening:
- Talk to your coworker discreetly. Ask if he knows how the casino flagged him or if he ever gave consent for data sharing (e.g., during his self-exclusion process). Self-exclusion programs in Oklahoma often involve sharing your info with casino security to enforce the ban, which might explain why his presence still triggers alerts.
- Check for law enforcement involvement. You can’t directly access police records, but you can ask the casino if they share surveillance data with law enforcement and under what conditions. If you suspect foul play, you could file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation or local police to see if they’re accessing casino data on your coworker (though FOIA requests can be slow and may not reveal much if the data sharing is informal).
Step 3: Is This Illegal?
You asked whether your boss’s setup is illegal, and the answer depends on how he’s getting the info. Here’s the breakdown:
- If the casino is sharing data without consent: Oklahoma’s Computer Data Privacy Act (HB 1030, passed 2023) requires businesses to get consumer consent before sharing personal data with third parties. If the casino is sending your boss (or a law enforcement contact) your coworker’s data without a legal basis (e.g., a subpoena or court order), that could violate the law. Penalties can reach $7,500 per intentional violation, enforced by the Oklahoma Attorney General.
- If law enforcement is involved improperly: If your boss’s police connections are accessing casino surveillance data without a valid legal reason (e.g., no active investigation or court order), this could violate federal privacy laws like the Privacy Act of 1974, which governs how government agencies handle personal data. It could also breach tribal law, as Oklahoma’s tribal casinos operate under their own sovereignty and don’t have to share data with state or local police without a formal request.
- If your boss is exploiting his influence: Using law enforcement ties to get private info for personal reasons (like monitoring an employee) could be considered an abuse of power. This might not just be illegal—it could expose your boss to civil liability if you or your coworker can prove harm (e.g., workplace harassment or emotional distress).
To explore this further:
- File a complaint with the casino’s tribal gaming commission. Each tribal casino in Oklahoma answers to a tribal gaming authority (e.g., the Chickasaw Nation Gaming Commission for WinStar). Report your concerns about unauthorized data sharing and ask them to investigate. They have a vested interest in protecting patron privacy to avoid legal or reputational issues.
- Contact the Oklahoma Attorney General. If you suspect the casino is violating HB 1030, file a consumer complaint online at ag.ok.gov. Provide as much detail as possible, including your boss’s texts as evidence of data leaks.
- Consult a lawyer. Given your boss’s law enforcement ties, a privacy or gaming law attorney can assess whether his actions violate state or federal law. They can also advise on whether you have grounds for a civil lawsuit, especially if your boss’s monitoring affects your job or personal life. FindLaw lists Oklahoma gaming law attorneys who could help.
Step 4: Protect Your Privacy
Since your boss knows you’re gambling, assume he’s getting similar updates about you. Here’s how to lock things down:
- Request a data blackout from the casino. Write a formal letter to the casino’s privacy or compliance officer, citing HB 1030, and ask them to stop sharing your personal data (including presence, wins, or losses) with any third parties. Request confirmation in writing. If they refuse, escalate to the tribal gaming commission.
- Go anonymous. Stop using player’s club cards, apps, or anything tied to your identity. Pay with cash and avoid giving your ID unless absolutely required (e.g., for large wins). If license plate readers are a concern, park off-site or use a different vehicle.
- Consider self-exclusion (with caution). Your coworker banned himself, which might have put him on a watchlist that triggers alerts. If you want to gamble privately, self-exclusion could backfire by increasing scrutiny. Instead, ask the casino about “no-marketing” or “no-tracking” options that don’t involve a formal ban.
Step 5: Handle Your Boss’s Overreach
You mentioned liking your boss despite his nosiness, which is a good starting point for keeping things civil. However, his monitoring is a workplace boundary issue, especially since he was paying for your coworker’s community college and might feel entitled to control his (or your) behavior. Here’s how to navigate it:
- Set boundaries politely. If your boss brings up your gambling, calmly say something like, “I’d prefer to keep my personal activities private—can we stick to work stuff?” This signals you’re not okay with the oversight without escalating.
- Talk to HR if needed. If his comments become intrusive or affect your job (e.g., if he implies your gambling could impact your role), report it to HR as a privacy concern. Document every instance where he mentions your casino visits, including dates and context.
- Leverage his law enforcement ties carefully. Since he’s connected, avoid direct confrontation unless you have evidence of wrongdoing. If you suspect he’s misusing police contacts, a lawyer can help you file an anonymous complaint with the relevant agency (e.g., the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s ethics board).
Step 6: Alternative Gambling Options
To avoid this casino’s surveillance entirely:
- Switch casinos. Oklahoma has over 100 tribal casinos. Try a smaller one that might have less sophisticated tracking or different data-sharing practices. Check their privacy policies first.
- Explore social casinos. As mentioned before, social casinos like Spinifinite are legal in Oklahoma and require less personal info. They’re a low-risk way to enjoy gambling without real money or heavy surveillance.
- Be cautious with online options. Oklahoma doesn’t allow online casinos, and unregulated offshore sites (even crypto-based ones) can be risky. Stick to in-person gambling with cash to stay under the radar.
A Note on Your Coworker’s Situation
Your coworker’s $100,000 win and $15,000 jackpot likely put him on the casino’s radar, especially if he was in a player’s club or triggered IRS reporting. His self-exclusion might have added him to a database that flags his return (many casinos share self-exclusion lists to enforce bans). The fact that your boss still gets texts when he’s just getting gas suggests the casino’s surveillance system is tied to his license plate or face, not just his gambling. You could encourage him to contact the casino and demand they stop sharing his data, citing the same privacy laws you’re using. If he’s comfortable, he could also ask the casino how his self-exclusion data is being handled and whether it’s being shared with law enforcement.
In the end…
Your boss’s setup—getting texts about your coworker’s every move, likely through law enforcement connections—is highly suspicious and could be illegal if it involves unauthorized data sharing or abuse of police access. You can protect yourself by going anonymous at the casino, requesting a data blackout, and digging into how the casino shares info. Contact the casino’s privacy team and, if needed, the tribal gaming commission or Oklahoma Attorney General to report potential violations. If your boss’s monitoring escalates, a lawyer can help you explore whether his actions break state or federal privacy laws.
Since you like your boss, try handling this discreetly to avoid workplace drama, but don’t let his influence with law enforcement intimidate you—Oklahoma’s privacy laws and tribal regulations give you tools to fight back.