Michael said when he inquired about getting a government photo ID card, he was told it could take as long as February for it to arrive.
'The fact that you don't need to show identification when you're spending thousands of dollars or hundreds of dollars when you’re gambling, you don't have to show ID, but to collect your winnings you do,” said Michael. Michael said he was unaware he needed photo ID to collect his winnings. It's one of the reasons I don't drive, so no driver's licence,” said Michael. I’m 52 years of age and I have had it since I was 15. On Nov.18, Michael stopped at Casino Woodbine to play a slot machine, and within a few minutes he hit the jackpot of $4,133.50.īut when Michael went to claim his prize, he was told he had to produce government issued photo identification - something he said he doesn’t have due to health reasons. Ontario’s gaming industry is concerned criminals are using casinos for money laundering, so anyone who wins more than $3,000 must produce a government issued photo ID.
“I said to the casino I just want to get my money and never to go back there again,' said Anthony Michael, of Welland, Ont. An Ontario man hit the jackpot playing a slot machine last month in Etobicoke, but he still hasn’t been able to collect his winnings because he doesn’t have photo ID.
