VEGAS MYTHS RE-BUSTED: If Your ID is Expired, Your Jackpot is Forfeited

“Get me my money that I won!” the woman yells, pumping her fists and disturbing the players around her. Then, a dramatic voiceover worthy of the “in a world where” movie-trailer guy utters: “She won the jackpot, but expired ID equals no cash-out.”

The video neglects to mention that the screaming woman didn’t lose any money. She only allowed one more unscrupulous social media user to gain views with misinformation designed to enrage.

Based on the comments, that objective was achieved.

“The casino will REACH for ANY reason NOT to pay a winner!!!” wrote Chris P.

“They didn’t care about her expired [ID] when she was putting the $ in and lost !?!?” added Dave.

Missed Information

If the winner of a jackpot can t produce a valid photo ID (an unexpired driver s license, other state-issued ID, or passport) and a Social Security/tax ID number, all US casinos are required by federal law to store the winner s payout until some later date when they can produce them.

Both items are required of anyone winning $1,200 or more on a slot or other video machine, or more than $10K in a table game. That’s because those amounts of action trigger Uncle Sam to demand its piece, and strict rules are in place to ensure that it always gets it.

Non-US residents also get taxed at a rate as high as 30%.