PA Gaming Control Board Fines Casino for Underage Gambling Violations

PR Newswire

posted: 83 DAYS 17 HOURS AGO

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HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A $24,000 fine was levied today by the Commonwealth's gaming oversight agency on a south central Pennsylvania casino operator for three separate violations dealing with underage gambling.

The fines were part of a consent agreement between the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, operators of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse in Grantville. The civil penalties, unanimously approved by the Board at its public meeting in Harrisburg, were for incidents that occurred at Hollywood Casino between July 2009 and August 2009.

The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides that it is unlawful for persons under 21 years of age to operate or use slot machines and that individuals under 18 years of age may not enter the gaming floor of a licensed facility.

Under the consent agreement, Hollywood Casino agreed to pay a civil fine of $24,000 for three incidents of individuals between 18 years of age and under 21 years of age that operated a slot machine.

-- On July 4, 2009, a 20 year old male gained entry to the gaming floor and was able to place wagers at slot machines for approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes. -- On August 2, 2009, a 19 year old male gained entry to the gaming floor and was able to place wagers at slot machines for approximately 19 minutes.

-- On August 15, 2009 an 18 year old female gained entry to the gaming floor and was able to place wagers at slot machines for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

During the past two years, the Gaming Control Board has levied fines statewide on six occasions for violations of underage gambling or minors on the gaming floor totaling $211,500.

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at the Public Utility Commission, Keystone Bldg., Hearing Room One in Harrisburg. The meeting is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m.

Additional information about the PA Gaming Control Board is available at its web site at www.pgcb.state.pa.us . At that site, you can learn more about the Board's role in the oversight of legalized slot machine gaming in the Commonwealth and about the state's gaming casinos. In addition, visitors to the site can access information to assist those who may have a compulsive gambling problem, review transcripts of meetings and hearings, file complaints for investigation, and request a speaker for their organization

Contact: Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey (717) 346-8321

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

2009-11-18 15:17:00