PA Gaming Control Board Hands Out $67,500 in Fines + Penalties

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board took significant actions during its recent public meeting, addressing violations at various casinos and ensuring the safety of minors. The Board, through its Office of Enforcement Counsel, approved three consent agreements, resulting in fines totaling $67,500.

The fines were imposed as a result of negotiations between the OEC and the following operators:

1. Downs Racing, L.P., operator of Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino, received a fine of $50,000 for allowing individuals under the age of 21 to access the gaming floor. In one incident, the individual gained access to gamble multiple times, while in another, the individual under 21 was provided alcohol.
2. Holdings Acquisition, L.P., operator of Rivers PA Casino Pittsburgh, received a $10,000 fine for permitting an individual under the age of 21 to gamble on the gaming floor.
3. Sugarhouse HSP Gaming, L.P., operator of Rivers PA Casino Philadelphia, received a $7,500 fine for allowing an employee without being properly trained to deal at a roulette table.

For detailed information on these matters, copies of the approved consent agreements can be made available upon a request submitted to the Board's Office of Communications.

In addition to imposing fines, the Board took action on petitions filed by the OEC to ban seven adults from all Pennsylvania casinos in the Commonwealth for leaving minors unattended while they engaged in gaming activities. The details of the individuals and their actions are as follows:

1. A man and woman were placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving a 9-year-old child unattended in a hotel room at Mt. Airy Casino Resort for a total of 7 hours and 48 minutes over a 2 ½ day period to gamble.
2. A male guest was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving a 5-year-old child unattended in a vehicle in the parking garage of Rivers Casino Philadelphia for 35 minutes while he gambled in the sportsbook.
3. A male guest was put on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving a 3-year-old child alone in a vehicle in the parking lot of Live! Philadelphia Hotel and Casino for 10 minutes while he gambled in the sportsbook.
4. A female guest was put on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving four children, ages 2, 10, 13, and 13, unattended in a vehicle in the parking area at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh for 40 minutes while she patronized the casino and observed an acquaintance gambling.
5. A male guest was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving a 7-year-old child unattended in a vehicle in the parking area at Parx Casino Bensalem for 23 minutes while he gambled in the sportsbook and at a slot machine.
6. A male guest was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving an 11-month-old child by himself in a vehicle in the parking lot of Rivers Casino Philadelphia for 42 minutes while he gambled at table games.

The Board emphasizes that leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, hotels, or other areas within a casino creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for the children. Apart from being banned from all Pennsylvania casinos, the offending adults are also subject to criminal prosecution.

The Board revealed that from the beginning of 2022 to June 2023, they identified 397 incidents of adult men and women leaving children unattended to gamble at Pennsylvania casinos, involving 633 minors.

To raise awareness about this issue and assist in addressing the problem, the Board has launched a special "Don't Gamble with Kids" campaign website, accessible via a provided link. 

The Board's next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at the Board's Public Hearing Room at Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg which is located on the second floor.

The Gaming Control Board of Pennsylvania is responsible for overseeing all aspects of gambling, including 17 retail casinos, PA online casino games, retail venues, and Pennsylvania online sports betting and Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at various truck stops in Pennsylvania, along with regulating online fantasy sports contests.

Pennsylvania's land-based casino industry includes six racetrack casinos, five stand-alone casinos, two resort casinos, and four mini-casinos. Notably, these casinos and other Board-regulated gaming activities generated over $2.3 billion in tax revenue during the 2022/2023 State Fiscal Year.