Instead of holding crisp bills, many tourists and locals have often found themselves irritated that they are stuck with a ticket voucher worth a few cents. Players only have six months to use the voucher. But where does the money go after a voucher expires?

Per a 2011 law, the state collects 75 percent of any expired wagering voucher and the casino licensee can keep the rest. And gamblers left $22 million in unclaimed tickets in the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to state data.

Clorissa Pierce of Farmington, New Mexico, makes sure to play a mix of new and old slot machines when she visits Las Vegas.