LAS VEGAS -- Casinos rake in tens of millions of dollars every year because of unclaimed casino machine tickets. A player sits down at a slot machine and wins a few bucks, but never cashes it out. After the ticket expires, the casino gets to keep those winnings.
But a proposed Nevada Assembly bill wants that money to go to the state. Assembly Bill 219's sponsor says the state is owed that unclaimed money.
"Whether this money is the casino's money or someone's money who failed to claim it -- if it's the latter, then why does the gaming establishment get to keep it," said Assemblyman William Horne.
Assemblyman Horne used the example of a casino guest's car is left in the parking lot. It would be towed, and if left unclaimed would be sold at auction and the money would go to the state.
The bill only relates to the casino games that issue tickets. Not casino chips, tokens, keno or sportsbook tickets.
Since electronic ticketing started, casinos have recouped $43 million in unclaimed tickets that they have later had to pay taxes on. Gaming doesn't like the idea of this bill, and neither did some tourists.
"I think it goes to the private establishment if you're not smart enough to collect your money. I don't know why the state has a right to your money. Government is getting too involved, that's how it is. Same in Illinois," said tourist Brett Lukowicz from Chicago.
"Obviously, the individual made a mistake by not claiming his or her money. But I would think it would be the casino's money, not the state's money," said tourist Jeanie Haratsaris from Michigan.
Opponents of the bill also made the point the purpose of the state's unclaimed property program is to reunite the unclaimed property with its owner. But in the case of casino machine tickets, there is no name or contact information on the ticket.
Currently, unclaimed traveler's checks, money orders and gift cards go back to the state.
No vote was taken Tuesday. The bill was just heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee and could be heard again in the coming weeks.
