Montana Enforces Credit Gambling Ban
Missouri has passed laws to prevent gamblers from running up credit card debt to fund their gambling, and now the state is cracking down on casinos that violate the law.
The Gambling Control Division of the Montana Justice Department recently cited Boomers Pub and Gambling Parlor, in Missoula. The casino was found to have given a series of cash advances over a two-month period totalling over $10,000. The transactions were disguised as food and beverage sales.
Montanans are allowed to get legitimate cash advances from ATMs using personal pin numbers, and staying within cash limits set by the card company and the ATM. However, using a card as a purchase to get cash is strictly illegal.
Casinos found in violation are fined and put on probation, with extra scrutiny paid to future accounting of that casino's credit-card records. The fine often goes to the Montana Council on Problem Gambling. Casinos can often be forced to return cash advances, as well.
The law forbidding credit-card gambling was passed in 1989, and stiffer penalties and an enforcement plan were added in 2005.
The state Gaming Industry Association is in favor of the law, and insists that employees of casinos be well-educated about the technicalities.
Montana also has a limit on winnings, with a $300 maximum take for a hand of cards, and $800 from any electronic gambling machine.
