Controversy: Welfare ATM cards draw cash at Calif. casinos

Controversy: Welfare ATM cards draw cash at Calif. casinos
Tags: Debit / Credit, North America
June 23, 2010

The Los Angeles Times reports that cards provided to welfare recipients by the Department of Social Services can be used to get cash at casinos.

The paper found that the cards could be used for cash at 32 of 58 tribal casinos and more than half of the state's licensed poker rooms.

The governor told the paper he will take immediate action:

"We have instructed our vendors to prohibit these cards from being accepted at ATMs located in casinos and card rooms," Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said Wednesday. "It is reprehensible that anyone would use taxpayer money for anything other than its intended purpose."