State of Nevada Reaps More That $35 Million in Unclaimed Casino Winnings

LAS VEGAS (Associated Press) - State officials say Nevada has reaped more than $35 million in the last five years from gamblers who forget or don't care to cash in slot and video machine tickets at Nevada casinos.

The Las Vegas Sun reports that with coin-based slots a thing of the past, tickets are the new currency for players.

Machine-dispensed tickets are usually taken to casino cage or an automated kiosk similar to an ATM to be exchanged for cash.

But the Nevada Gaming Control Board directs winnings that aren't claimed within six months. The state general fund gets 75 percent of the revenue, and casinos get 25 percent.

Officials say casinos have provisions to handle damaged tickets, if they're legible, and even to replace lost or stolen tickets.