State Welfare Cards Being Used At Casino ATMs

According to a Los Angeles Times report, more than half of the state’s tribal casinos and state-licensed poker rooms have ATMs where welfare recipients can use state-issued debit cards to cash-out and make their bets.

The cards are meant to help recipients clothe and feed their families.

A Department of Social Services website has a list of all ATMs where the cards can be used.

On that list — 32 tribal casinos — including Morongo Casino in Cabazon and Spotlight 29 in Coachella.

The cards typically are good for nearly $700 a month.

State officials want to find out how much money has been withdrawn from casino ATMs using those cards.

Some say it can be a dangerous temptation for desperate people.

“We get requests everyday for help from seniors who say they’re out of money. Often in our thorough evaluation, we find out that money’s been squandered on things other than what they really need,” says Bill Seals, Executive Director of Desert Samaritans For Seniors.

Governor Schwarzenegger’s office is telling vendors to prohibit the cards from being accepted at casino ATMs.

Although Spotlight 29 is on the list — it’s vendor, Global Cash — says they block the cards from being accepted at their devices and will continue to do so.

Late Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order barring California welfare recipients from using state-issued debit cards at casino ATMs.

Schwarzenegger’s order requires welfare recipients to sign a pledge that they will use their benefits only to meet the basic needs of their families.

It also gives the state Department of Social Services seven days to come up with a plan to reduce other “waste, fraud and abuse” in the welfare program.