Published on: June 22, 2026, 11:50 AM.
Updated on: June 22, 2026, 11:50 AM.
- Authorities in Missouri claim that 87-year-old James N. Gallagher III unlawfully acquired $5,050 worth of slot machine credits from another player’s machine.
- Casino surveillance footage allegedly shows Gallagher cashing out the credits and redeeming the generated ticket.
- Gallagher is facing a Class D felony for taking more than $750, which could result in up to seven years in prison.
In Missouri, law enforcement has accused an 87-year-old man of stealing over $5,000 from a slot machine being used by another gambler at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived at the riverboat casino managed by Las Vegas’s Boyd Gaming on May 1, responding to a report of theft. One of the players indicated he had put $5,000 into a slot machine. After a restroom break, he returned to find his credits had been cashed and the machine was available.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Theft
Investigators from the Missouri law enforcement reviewed the Ameristar Casino’s security footage, which allegedly shows an elderly man approaching the slot machine while the victim was away.
The individual cashed out with $5,050 in credits and proceeded to a redemption kiosk to collect a ticket-in, ticket-out (TITO) voucher. This investigation led to the arrest of James N. Gallagher III, an 87-year-old resident of Florissant. Gallagher has been charged with theft exceeding $750, a felony according to Missouri law.
The Class D felony could result in a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Sentencing typically depends on the defendant’s past criminal record, with first-time non-violent offenders potentially receiving probation and minimal jail time.
Court documents reveal that Gallagher faced legal action from Ford Motor Credit Company in June 2021 for unpaid car loan dues. This case was concluded in December 2022 through a consent agreement. This is Gallagher’s only recorded court case.
Ameristar Casino is among the largest riverboat casinos in Missouri, housing over 1,700 slot machines, close to 100 live dealer table games, and a Fanatics Sportsbook. The facility features a hotel with 400 rooms, 60,000 square feet of conference space, a seasonal indoor-outdoor swimming pool, and a full-service spa.
Understanding Gaming Credits
In all states with commercial gaming, it is illegal to use a found gaming voucher. Any lost voucher should be immediately reported to casino staff, as picking it up could lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the voucher’s value and state laws.
Casinos frequently issue bans and trespass notices to individuals caught collecting or stealing gaming vouchers.
Floor attendants are trained to scan any lost vouchers to determine if they can be returned to their rightful owner through a rewards card. If a voucher isn’t linked to a rewards member, the casino retains the funds or allocates them to charity.
Programs like Caesars Makes Change allow players to contribute their TITO vouchers to charitable causes. In May 2025, the initiative donated $200,000 to the International Center for Responsible Gaming.