Atlantic City is a popular destination for out-of-state tourists as well as New Jersey residents looking for an exciting getaway. People can let go of their daily lives and experience a thrill. Getting credit at a casino makes it easier for you to lose yourself in the excitement of gambling.
A casino marker is a form of in-house credit that you can use to gamble without stopping to go to the ATM to make a withdrawal. Typically, casinos only extend markers in an amount that they know someone can repay. You have to prove that you have assets equivalent to the value of the marker.
However, your assets can change over time, which might mean that you find yourself overextended after a losing streak at the casino. You could face major legal issues if you default on the marker that financed your gambling.
Is failing to pay a casino marker a crime?
Unlike in Nevada, where defaulting on a casino marker is a criminal act enshrined in the state code, failing to pay a casino for money that you borrowed isn’t explicitly a crime. However, the casino can take you to civil court to recoup what they extended to you. If they secure a judgment against you, you could lose future income to wage garnishment or have a lien placed against your most valuable assets, like your home.
If you are charged with some kind of fraud to obtain the casino marker, such as misrepresenting yourself, stealing someone’s identity or writing a bad check, then you face criminal prosecution in addition to whatever collection efforts the casino chooses to pursue. It’s wise to seek legal guidance if you are charged with a casino crime in Atlantic City.