Welfare Cards Can’t Be Used At Psychics, Gov. Schwarzenegger Says

Psychics, gun stores, bingo halls, and more businesses were declared off-limits for welfare recipients using state-funded debit cards, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured above voting on Tuesday) said this week. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

By Alex Johnston

Alex Johnston

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November 2, 2010Updated: October 1, 2015

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Psychics, medical marijuana purveyors, and some other types of businesses can no longer be paid for via welfare cards in California, decided Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday, November 2, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Businesses that are deemed “inconsistent with the intent” of the welfare program cannot be paid for by state-issued debit cards, said Governor Schwarzenegger, according to the Associated Press.

"ATMs that are located at casinos, card rooms, and adult entertainment businesses," have been banned from use by welfare cardholders as of June 24, 2010, states the California Electronic Benefit Transfer Client Website.

The more recent order will also ban using welfare cards to pay at massage parlors, gun shops, bingo halls, tattoo parlors, cruise ships, race tracks, and bail bond establishments, according to AP.

Reports emerged over the summer that the debit cards were being used at casinos in California, which prompted Schwarzenegger to issue a ban.

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