Judge: Gambling debts unenforceable

<p>DALY CITY - Two casinos who claim a Daly City couple wrote $43,000 in bad checks to cover gambling debts cannot use California courts to collect, a judge ruled.</p><p>San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp dismissed a lawsuit against Manuel and Mercedita Luna on Monday, citing California's "deep-rooted policy" against enforcing debts owed to casinos that extend credit to gamblers.</p><p>A collection agency sued the couple in 2005, claiming the couple bounced a $15,000 check to the El Dorado Hotel Casino in Reno and a $28,000 check to Cache Creek Casino in Yolo County.</p><p>"Enforcement of such claims is prohibited" in California despite growing acceptance of gambling in the state, wrote Kopp, a retired judge who continues to hear cases under a state program.</p>