When you win big at a casino, are you prepared for the steps needed to be able to claim your money? Some players aren’t:
I went to turn in a winning ticket. My ID was damaged; they wouldn’t accept my ID. How can I get the money I have won?
Jason R.
Generally if they’re asking for an ID, you’ve won enough that you’ve triggered a policy at either the casino level or the governmental level that requires verification of ID. That’s usually a good problem.
Identification is often requested when accepting a jackpot handpay, for instance, or if handling more than a certain amount of cash in a certain transaction or day.
If your identification isn’t being accepted, there are a few things you can do.
Ask What Other Forms of Identification Are Accepted
Generally, multiple forms of identification are acceptable at a casino. The most common ones are a passport, a driver’s license and a state identification card. These government ID forms all are backed by a state or the federal government, and have enough security features to be considered acceptable.
So, if you have another form of identification they accept, that can be the quickest solution – just go home and grab one they’ll take.
Get a Replacement ID
If your ID is damaged, while it may take time and a bit of money to get your identification replaced, it’s probably for the best. This is especially true if the reason for doing so is to collect a sizable casino prize – presumably the amount that would be unlocked by getting the replacement ID is enough to make it worth it.
Plus, then you’ll have a fully intact ID for anything else you need it – flying, buying alcohol, if you get pulled over, etc.
Know the Time Limits
Players forget to bring ID to a casino, and on occasion don’t realize their identification has expired.,In those cases, if they hit a jackpot handpay, they can’t claim it right away. Casinos can offer some flexibility, but it’s important to know how much – there is a time limit to claiming a prize.
Similarly, tickets have expiration dates on them, and while some casinos will cash tickets at the cashier beyond their expiration date, it’s not a lock, so it’s best to ensure you take care of business before drifting into that gray area.
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