Published on: July 27, 2023, 02:22.
Last updated on July 27, 2023 at 03:05.
Pennsylvania regulators this week banned seven people from entering state casinos because they had previously left their children unattended while gambling.
The latest exceptions, granted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, add to the long list of adults neglecting children when going to casinos; It’s a problem that regulators are trying to reduce in Pennsylvania and other states.
The Board’s actions are intended to remind you that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, hotel, or other venue in the casino, as it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for children.” It also exposes the adult who committed this crime to criminal prosecution as well as removing them from all Pennsylvania casinos.”
The board established an organization “Do Not Gamble With Children” Website to raise awareness on the subject.
Young People Left Alone for Hours
seven examples detailed this week by the board It involved leaving children aged 11 months to 13 years alone in casino hotel rooms or parking lots for periods ranging from 10 minutes to several hours. Events Recorded at Airy Casino Resort, Rivers Casino Philadelphia, Live! Philadelphia Hotel and Casino, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Parx Casino Bensalem.
Most incidents involved leaving children alone in the car for less than an hour while an adult was visiting a casino or sports betting site, but some were left unattended for hours.
A man and woman transport a 9-year-old child to Mt. After being left alone in a hotel room in Airy multiple times, he was banned for nearly eight hours over a two-and-a-half day period.
In another case, a man left an 11-month-old boy unattended in a vehicle for 42 minutes playing board games at Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
Hundreds of Cases
The board said it has identified a total of 397 incidents since the beginning of last year, in which a total of 633 children were left alone while their parents or guardians went to the casino. A gaming board spokesperson told Casino.org that not all of these incidents resulted in bans; each case is decided on its own terms.
A total of 182 people have been placed on Pennsylvania’s mandatory exclusion list so far, the spokesperson said.
Three Casinos Sentenced
The regulators also fined two casinos for allowing minors to place bets, and a third casino for failing to properly train their staff.
The total fines given were $67,500, and consent agreements were negotiated with the guilty parties.
Mohegan Pennsylvania operator Downs Racing, LP, was fined the largest of $50,000 for allowing individuals under the age of 21 to access the playground. One person was able to gamble more than once and another was served alcohol despite being under the age of 21.
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh operator Holdings Acquisiton LP has been fined $10,000 for allowing anyone under the age of 21 to access the arcade. Rivers Casino Philadelphia operator Sugarhouse HSP Gaming LP was fined $7,500 for allowing an untrained employee to play roulette.
