Assembly: No Using Welfare Cash Cards At Casinos

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California lawmakers want to make it official -- welfare recipients cannot use their state-issued debit cards at casinos, strip clubs or similar business.

The Assembly on Friday approved AB493, which prohibits CalWORKS recipients from using the cards in cash machines at gambling or adult entertainment businesses. The vote was 50-8, sending the bill to the Senate.

State rules already prohibit using cards in such businesses. The bill by Assemblyman Henry Perea, D-Fresno, would make it law.

Eight Democrats voted against the bill. Some argued that card rooms offer the closest ATM for some recipients.

Card use was limited last year after the Los Angeles Times reported they were used to withdraw about $12,000 from strip club ATMs in three years. The state paid $10.8 billion in benefits during that period.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)