The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has taken regulatory actions against several entities for various violations within the state’s gaming industry. These actions include fines and bans on adults who left minors unattended at casinos, as well as a fine against Pilot Travel Centers for underage gambling and non-compliance with staffing requirements.
Fines for Pilot Travel Centers:
Pilot Travel Centers has been fined $45,000 by the PGCB for multiple violations at its truck stop video gaming terminal (VGT) establishment in Smithton, Pennsylvania.
The violations involved permitting underage gambling and failing to have a board-credentialed employee on duty while VGTs were accessible to patrons.
The $45,000 consent agreement resulted from negotiations between the PGCB’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) and Pilot Travel Centers.
Bans on Adults for Leaving Minors Unattended:
The PGCB has banned four adults from Pennsylvania casinos for endangering minors by leaving them unattended at casino premises.
A woman has been placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List after leaving three children, aged 10, 14, and 15, unattended in a running vehicle in the parking garage of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
Another woman left minors unattended on two occasions at different casinos. In the first instance, a 10-year-old child was left unattended in a vehicle near Rivers Casino Philadelphia’s parking lot. On the second occasion, two minors aged 11 and 12 were left in a vehicle at Live! Philadelphia Casino.
A man has been added to the list for leaving two children, aged three and seven, unattended in a running vehicle in the parking garage at Live! Philadelphia Casino. Another man faces a ban for leaving a five-year-old unattended in a vehicle at Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino.
August Gambling Revenue Report:
The PGCB has released its monthly revenue report for August, showcasing the state’s gambling industry performance.
Pennsylvania’s total gambling revenue, which includes revenue from casinos, online casinos, sports betting, truck stop video gaming terminals (VGTs), and fantasy sports contests, reached $457.2 million in August.
This represents a 7.5% year-on-year increase but a 2% decrease from July 2023 ($467 million).
Notable figures from the report include online casino revenue of $145 million, a 35.3% increase from the same period in 2022, and revenue contributions from various casinos across the state.
The PGCB’s recent actions demonstrate the importance of adhering to gaming regulations in Pennsylvania. While fines aim to enforce compliance, bans on individuals who endanger minors underscore the commitment to ensuring a safe and responsible gaming environment in the state.