The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has levied $147.5k in fines to three operators due to administrative failures as well as banning three adults for leaving children unattended whilst on casino grounds.
Following negotiations between the PGCB and the Office of Enforcement Counsel, the regulator has fined $120k to Mount Airy #1, LLC, the operator of Mount Airy Casino Resort. This was due to the resort failing to submit internal audit plans in a timely fashion, something that is within its conditions for licensure.
Meanwhile, Downs Racing, operator of Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino, has been fined $20k for two incidents in which employees worked on grounds without a PGCB permit or license.
Finally, Sugarhouse Gaming, operator of Rivers Casino Philadelphia, has been fined $7.5k for failing to notify its security staff and law enforcement about a cheating player on a table game when a player allegedly used marked cards.
Aside from operators, three adults have been banned from all casinos in Pennsylvania for leaving six children unattended whilst going to casinos.
A male was placed on the exclusion list after he left three children aged three, eight, and 10 alone in a car whilst playing at the Mohegan Pennsylvania sportsbook.
A female was placed on the exclusion list for leaving a two and five-year-old alone in the food court of Valley Forge Casino Resort to place a wager at the sportsbook.
Finally, another female left her 13-year-old alone in a car whilst she gambled on a slot machine at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
There have been several instances of children being left unattended in Pennsylvania, which leads to a ban from all casinos in the state.
The PGCB has introduced its “Don’t Gamble With Kids” campaign, aiming to reduce these types of incidents from occurring and keep children safe.
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.
“The Board is reporting that since the start of 2022 through March 2023 it has identified 344 incidents of adults leaving children unattended to gamble at Pennsylvania casinos involving 568 minors.”
