Ohio gambling enterprises like the Hollywood Casino in Columbus will now withhold winnings from players whom owe child support. (Image: Brooke Lavalley/Dispatch File Photo)
At Ohio casinos, gamblers who think they’ve simply won a major jackpot could be set for a surprise, at least when they have outstanding kid support re payments. That’s because a new system is now in destination to make sure that debtors who owe money for the well-being of their children won’t be able to collect their gambling winnings without trying to repay just what they owe first.
The latest ‘intercept program’ is now moving forward at all four casinos in Ohio. The properties have agreed to operate with all the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to identify gamblers who owe straight back child support, adding those criminal record checks to ones place that is already taking a database of debtors.
Lottery, Racetracks Also Recover Funds
These checks are also made by the Ohio Lottery, which runs the state’s seven racetrack casinos. At the casinos, database checks will be triggered by wins of $1,200 or more on slot machines, $5,000 or more on table games, and $600 or more on some high-stakes games. At the racetracks, any reward of $600 or more will be checked against owed child-support payments, while wins of $5,000 or more trigger checks against back fees and student loans.
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