Unpaid Casino Markers and Tourist Arrests
Las Vegas, Nevada
Casino marker arrests
If you face criminal charges for the unpaid casino markers in Las Vegas, Nevada, call us at 702-432-1000. We may help you resolve your case.
The initial consultation is free and confidential.
What is a casino marker?
Many Las Vegas casinos provide lines of credit to their best customers to keep them gambling. These credit lines are called casino markers and, often, carry zero interest and other rewards, all to encourage the customer to keep their money at that casino.
Casino markers = bad check
In Nevada, casino markers are considered a bad check. Failing to pay back a casino marker in Nevada has the same result as a bad check. It is a felony and carries 1 - 4 years in prison plus a fine up to $5,000.
You have 30 days to pay it back
When the casino issues a marker, they don't always check if you have enough money on your account to pay it back. Generally, casinos attempt to collect an unpaid debt within 30 days. They send a letter via certified mail to the address on file, and you have 10 days to respond.
If you fail to respond, the casinos can turn the collection over to the Las Vegas District Attorney's office, Bad Check Unit.
Additional 5% - 10% interest
When the casino submits the marker complaint form to the district attorney's office, the law allows the addition of 5% - 10% interest to the original amount owed.
Casino markers: What to know
The consequences of an unpaid marker can snowball once the casino hands your case to the district attorney.
• The district attorney's office will send you a letter, and you have 10 days to respond.
• If you do not respond, a warrant is issued for your arrest. The warrant will immediately be in effect across the United States. Even if you do not live in Nevada, you may still be taken into custody.
• If you travel overseas, you may be stopped at immigration, taken into custody, and extradited to Nevada.
The penalty for unpaid casino markers in Nevada
| Unpaid Marker Amount | Jail Time | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Under $650 | 6 months | Fine up to $1,000 |
| Over $650 | 1 - 4 years | Fine up to $5,000 |
The process can move fast. Even when the casino debt is only $250, the consequences may mean jail time.
Defenses for casino markers
How your case is handled is very important.
Here are a few defenses that could be used in a casino marker case:
• Markers were forged
• Markers have no date or casino name (invalid marker)
• The casino intoxicated you with alcohol, and you lost your judgment
• At the time the casino marker was issued, the customer had enough assets to pay the marker back
Records sealing rules
You can seal your casino marker charge.
In Nevada, certain conditions should be met before the attorney can initiate a record sealing process. See our record sealing page for more information.
We can help
Every criminal case is different, and this article is by no means a substitute for legal advice.
Casino markers cases can be challenging, especially when the accused has many markers in the same casino or several unpaid markers in multiple Las Vegas casinos.
We at Heshmati & Associates helped many clients charged with a gambling debt. We can often work out an arrangement with the casino to get the marker repaid, and the charge is dismissed.
If you don't live in Las Vegas and face the unpaid casino markers charges, we can often waive your court appearance, and you don't have to fly back to Las Vegas for the hearing.
If you have any questions or need more information, call us at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with a casino marker lawyer.
Our law firm represents clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and other cities of Nevada.
Resources: Casino Markers (Gaming Debt)
Casino Markers - Nevada Statues - NRS.616D.300 - False statements or representations to obtain benefits; concealment of material fact to obtain benefits; penalty.
