The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has levied fines on three of its online casino licensees after uncovering a series of social responsibility failures.
Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association and its partner Barstool Sportsbook, Downs Racing and its partner Unibet, and Evolution were all fined for issues related to customers who intended to offer wagering to those who were not authorized to do so.
In the former case, Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association has been fined $45,000 for allowing five self-excluded customers to wager on Barstool Sportsbook.
Secondly, Downs Racing were fined $7,500 after the PGCB found it failed to suspend the account of a player who had enabled the temporary suspension of their online account. The customer had activated a 90-day cool-off period, however the Unibet platform continued to accept bets for a further 21 days.
Finally, Evolution was fined $7,500 for allowing an unlicensed employee to deal several games of blackjack on its online live dealer platform.
PGCB warns against leaving children unattended in parking lots
Later in the PGCB’s monthly meeting, the regulator banned two patrons from all casino premises after leaving children unattended whilst they entered casino grounds.
A male customer was banned after leaving a 12-year-old child in a running vehicle whilst he placed a bet at the Presque Isle Downs & Casino sportsbook.
Meanwhile, a female customer was banned after leaving a 14-month-old baby in a running vehicle whilst she wagered at the Valley Forge Casino & Resort sportsbook.
Reporting a wider problem on this issue, PGCB acknowledged that in a 13-month period ending February 2023, there were 331 adults leaving children unattended whilst gambling at casinos in the Keystone State.
Addressing this growing trend, the regulator stated: “The Board’s actions serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venues at a casino since it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for the children.
“Leaving minors unattended at a Pennsylvania casino also subjects the offending adult to criminal prosecution in addition to exclusion from all Pennsylvania casinos.”
