Missouri: Interest-free credit at casinos could pose risk for problem gamblers

Saturday, May 20, 2023 6:29 PM
Photo: Casino Design | Inte...o by I-5 Design & Manufacture shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license
  • Cassie Anderson, Columbia Missourian

Phyllis Kelso is no stranger to the casino industry. Before moving back to Missouri, she lived in Las Vegas with her husband, who worked as a casino card dealer. At first, Kelso had a strict limit of $20 a day. Gradually, this limit dissolved and she would spend at least $1,000 a week.

“If I’d had casino credit, I’d max it out and drag my credit cards out right behind it,” Kelso said.

Lines of credit offered by casinos are a type of short-term loan that gamblers can obtain by submitting an application. If approved, gamblers are given access to the funds and can use them to gamble in the casino.