Casino & Hospitality Industry Investigations

At DeFatta & Associates, LLC, we specialize in preventive investigations designed to identify vulnerabilities, deter misconduct, and uncover problems early—before they escalate into significant financial loss, regulatory scrutiny, or reputational damage.

Protecting Revenue, Reputation, and Guest Trust Before Loss Occurs:

Casinos operate in complex, high-risk environments where cash flow, guest trust, regulatory oversight, and employee access intersect every day. Preventive investigations are designed to identify vulnerabilities, deter misconduct, and correct weaknesses before they result in financial loss, regulatory action, or reputational harm. DeFatta & Associates LLC provides proactive, discreet preventive services tailored specifically for casino and gaming operations.

Investigative Shopping:

DeFatta & Associates, LLC, provides undercover investigative shopping and employee integrity testing services to a variety of industries, including casinos, hotels, restaurants, auto dealerships, and nightclubs. Using professionally trained and experienced investigators, we provide a complete comprehensive report of our visit to your property that focuses on customer service, fraud prevention, and identifying losses caused by employees. Our report provides details and (when permitted by law) an audio and video recording of each employee encounter and photographs of each employee we interact with during the visit.

Integrity Testing Shop:

During our visit to your business, we conduct employee integrity testing by providing controlled opportunities for your employees to shortcut your internal controls and procedures to commit thefts. One example of this type of testing is when our agents pose as cash paying customers and make cash purchases from your employees. These transactions are documented in detail, and we then work with your management or audit staff to confirm how the transaction was handled and if the items purchased were properly entered into your point-of-sale system. Our agents are trained and experienced in identifying “telltale signs” of common thefts committed by employees working in the casino industry and often will identify thefts committed while your employees conduct transactions with other customers as well as our agents. Our integrity testing phase of our investigative visit takes the guesswork out of determining which employees are honest and quickly identifying those that are not. This service also helps you identify and correct other violations of company policy before they impact your guests in a negative way. Regular use of this type of service also helps you evaluate the validity of customer complaints.

Experience Matters:

Our company is owned by Robert "Jerry" DeFatta, CFE, BAI, CRT. Jerry has over twenty-five years of experience as a professional investigator, with extensive experience in casino, food & beverage, hospitality, and other service-related industries. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a Board Accredited Investigator (BAI) who has been conducting fraud and internal theft investigations for almost three decades. Jerry is often a featured speaker at business and investigative conferences and has conducted hundreds of hours of training in fraud prevention and investigative techniques. Over the years, he has developed a worldwide network of professional investigators who can assist him when needed to ensure the client’s needs are meet no matter where the investigation is located.

Customer Experience Shop:

During this type of visit to your property, we use audio and video recording covert cameras to document every interaction we have with your staff so that you are able to see and hear (when allowed by state laws) exactly what was asked and how your employee responded to our questions. Based on your specific property needs we will ask questions about your property or the promotions you are offering to see if your staff are well informed and properly answering guest questions. We detail each interaction in our report and then provide you with a recording of the transaction that can then be reviewed with your management team or used for training purposes. Our customers find that seeing the property through the eyes of their guests is a very valuable tool in understanding the guest experience and helps to quickly identify any area that falls short of your expectations. This service can also be combined with integrity testing or the testing of any other issue you are concerned about.

Let Our Team Help Enhance Your Fraud Defense Strategy

Take the next step in safeguarding your organization against fraud. Whether you need expert investigative support or comprehensive supervisor training, DeFatta & Associates LLC offers tailored solutions to fortify your defenses. Our Louisiana-based team is ready to assist with cutting-edge strategies and state-of-the-art equipment.