accomplished gamers interview: Kara Napolitano - advocate for human rights and expert on trafficking
Casinos Under a Social Microscope
Kara Napolitano's life took an unexpected turn when she found herself in the heart of the African continent, facing the brutality of human trafficking. Today, the human rights advocate is making waves in Colorado, educating and spreading awareness about human trafficking within the gaming industry.
Napolitano, equipped with an MA in International Development and Human Rights Law, embarked on a journey that saw her working and volunteering in various post-conflict regions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It was there, amid the chaos and violence, that she encountered the grim reality of human trafficking.
Her experiences with child soldiers in Uganda, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and Cambodian migrant workers ignited a passion within her to fight against oppression and violence. After years of international travels and witnessing the impact of human trafficking, Napolitano returned to the United States to continue her mission.
Spreading Awareness in the Land of Gambling
The Denver-based Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, is Napolitano's current battleground. The organization, founded in 2005, has four key programming areas, including managing the statewide Human Trafficking Hotline, a training and education program, a research program, and a leadership development program.
Napolitano leads the training and education program, which has become instrumental in educating over 10,000 people annually about the intricacies and devastating effects of human trafficking. And, unsurprisingly, enterprise casinos are among her primary targets.
The Ugly Side of the Entertainment Industry
Casinos, with their allure of glitz and glam, have long been magnets for unsavory activities. Despite their efforts to maintain a polished image, the dark underbelly of human trafficking remains a prevalent issue within the industry.
"Casinos offer a conducive environment for human traffickers due to factors like tourism, demand for cheap labor, and proximity to hotels," Napolitano warns. She points out that casinos are often attached to hotels, necessitating the need for housekeeping, food services, and other hospitality-related staff. Simultaneously, the demand for cheap labor is on the rise, which, in turn, sparks an increased supply of trafficked individuals looking to exploit the situation for their own gain.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Napolitano stresses the importance of training staff to identify and report potential signs of human trafficking within their establishments. Some common red flags include basic needs being withheld, injuries, people without identification or excessive use of fake identities, excessive cash in rooms, and persistent booking of multiple rooms.
The Road Ahead
To combat human trafficking effectively, casinos must prioritize training, policy development, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies. By adopting a zero-tolerance policy, implementing robust guest and supplier screening processes, and developing close partnerships with local law enforcement, casinos can make significant strides in eliminating human trafficking from their properties.
Moreover, as awareness about human trafficking grows, the industry will face increased scrutiny and potential lawsuits if they fail to address the issue. In the end, the responsibility lies with the casinos to ensure they foster safe, ethical environments for both their employees and patrons.
Tom Osiecki, a casino consultant with Raving Consulting, is a firm believer in the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the human trafficking issue within the gaming industry. "When it comes to detecting and eradicating human trafficking, every casino should be proactive," he says. "The time to act is now."
- Kara Napolitano, in her role leading the training and education program at the Denver-based Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, is focused on educating individuals about lifestyle-threatening issues such as human trafficking, with a particular emphasis on the gambling industry and its associated environments like casinos.
- As part of her mission to combat human trafficking, Napolitano strongly advises casinos, as institutions offering education and self-development opportunities for their employees, to prioritize training, policy development, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to recognize and report the warning signs of human trafficking within their establishments, ensuring a safe and ethical environment for all.
