The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) issued a $35,000 fine to Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack for allowing underage gambling.
According to the PGCB, Individuals under the age of 21 were able to access the gaming floor and gamble. Chester Downs and Marina, operator of the casino, was fined $35,000 for the breach.
The PGCB also issued a separate fine of $13,000 to SportsHub. The licensed fantasy contest operator was ruled to have changed control of its license without PGSB approval.
In related news, the PGCB also announced banning orders for individuals who were found to have left children unattended while inside casinos. Those found guilty of such offenses are added to the state’s Involuntary Exclusion List.
Additions included two employees of Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack, who left a child in a vehicle in the car park. The individuals left the 14-month-old unattended to enter the casino’s dealer school and human resources office.
Meanwhile, a male patron was placed on the list for leaving a two-year-old unattended in a vehicle at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. The child was left alone for two minutes when the individual attempted to unsuccessfully gain entrance to the casino.
Another player was added to the list for leaving two children, aged six and 11, in a vehicle at the Rivers Casino Philadelphia. Children were left for six minutes while he visited a cashier’s cage in the casino.
Another male player also left children unattended in a vehicle at the same casino while he gambled at the sportsbook. The children were aged three and 13 and left alone for seven minutes.
Finally, a male player was added to the list for leaving two children along in a vehicle Rivers Casino Pittsburgh. The two children, aged five and nine, were left for nine minutes while the player gambled at the sportsbook.
Since the start of 2022 through May 2023, the PGCB has identified 370 incidents of adults leaving children unattended to gamble at casinos.