Summary
- All fines related to online gambling.
- Two incidents connect to self-exclusion.
- Two adults were banned for leaving minors unattended.
More fines have been issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board this month as casinos agree to terms after violating online gambling rules and regulations.
A total of $60,000 in fines were issued to operators, with the major offenses connected to self-exclusion needs of players.
Details of the Gambling Fines
The largest fine was issued to Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association. The group operates the Hollywood Casino located at Penn National Race Course. The group was fined $45,000 for allowing five individuals to gamble, even though their names were listed on the self-exclusion program of the Board.
The gambling operator offers services via the Barstool Sportsbook. All online gambling providers must ensure that anyone who is on the list is refused service. The goal is to protect the player after they have taken the step of self-exclusion.
A smaller fine of $7,500 was issued to Unibet Interactive and its partner Downs Racing. Unibet did not suspend the account of an individual who requested a temporary suspension. The player wanted to stop access for 90 days. The player was not given the break and continued gaming for three more weeks.
Evolution was also issued a $7,500 fine but for different circumstances. The company allowed an employee to deal games of blackjack while unlicensed.
Banning Adults for Leaving Minors Unattended
A major problem in the state of Pennsylvania involving adult gamblers is leaving minors in a vehicle to gamble. It seems almost every month there is a new incident where a parent or guardian leaves a child unattended so they can wager for a few minutes or even hours.
The regulator announced during a recent meeting that two adults will be banned from casinos in the state after leaving children by themselves to wager. A male was placed on the banned list after leaving a 12-year-old alone in a running car after entering Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
A female patron was also banned after she decided to leave a 14-month-old baby in a running car to place a sports bet at Valley Forge Casino. The Board used the incidents as a reminder that adults should not leave kids unattended to gamble, though this is really common sense and should just be a given.
The regulator has tried to take strong action against such incidents so they won’t take place. Adults will be banned from all casinos if they are negligent with a child. From January 2022 to February of this year, the Board has learned of just over 330 incidents where adults left minors in a vehicle to place a wager. Over 500 children were affected during these incidents.
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