Joey Porter is a Degenerate Gambler ... Officials Say [Update]

3:34 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... since the arrest, Joey has paid back the debt to the Hard Rock, so the case will be dismissed.

A rep for Porter tells us, "It was a misunderstanding as Joey wasn't aware that the debt was outstanding. It has been paid. Issue resolved."

Former NFL superstar Joey Porter is a deadbeat ... who owes the Hard Rock Casino $70,000 in unpaid gambling debts ... this according to the State of Nevada.

TMZ obtained court documents filed by the State of Nevada ... which show Porter is accused of writing 8 checks to the Hard Rock casino between June 30, 2012 and July 1, 2012 .... in exchange for cash and/or gambling chips.

Problem is .... according to the complaint, when the casino tried to cash the checks ... Joey's bank refused the transaction, claiming Joey had put a "stop payment" on them.

The Hard Rock went to cops ... and eventually Porter was charged with check-bouncing with intent to defraud and theft -- both felonies.

The docs list all of the the checks Joey allegedly wrote during his time in the casino ... and the progression indicates he was having a terrible run at the tables ... capped off with one last desperate $20k attempt to get out of the red.

Check #1 -- $10,000
Check #2 -- $10,000
Check #3 -- $5,000
Check #4 -- $5,000
Check #5 -- $5,000
Check #6 -- $5,000
Check #7 -- $10,000
Check #8 -- $20,000