PA Casino Fined for Underage Gambling
Author:
Scott Lawson
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack faced repercussions as the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) imposed a $35,000 fine for their failure to prevent underage gambling incidents. The PGCB’s investigation revealed instances where individuals under 21 years old gained access to the gaming floor. Chester Downs and Marina, as the operator responsible for the casino, received the fine.
The National Football League (NFL) has carried out disciplinary action against four players for violating betting regulations. Two players from the Indianapolis Colts have been suspended until the conclusion of the 2023 season.
?Donnie Rosie/Unsplash
SportsHub Fined $13,000 For Changing Control of its License Without Approval
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has taken decisive action against Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack for permitting underage gambling. The regulatory body uncovered instances where individuals under the legal gambling age of 21 were able to access the gaming floor and participate in gambling activities. As a result, Chester Downs and Marina, the operator of the casino, has been hit with a hefty fine of $35,000 by the PGCB for this breach of regulations.
In a separate case, the PGCB imposed a fine of $13,000 on SportsHub, a licensed fantasy contest operator. The company was found to have changed control of its license without obtaining prior approval from the PGCB. Such actions are in violation of the regulatory requirements set forth by the gaming control board, leading to the imposition of this financial penalty.
The PGCB’s actions against Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack and SportsHub highlight the board’s commitment to upholding strict standards and regulations within the gambling industry. By holding operators accountable for compliance breaches, the PGCB aims to ensure a safe and responsible gambling environment for all patrons.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Imposing Bans on Players Who Leave Children Unattended While Gambling
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) took further action against individuals who left children unattended while inside casinos, imposing banning orders and adding them to the state’s Involuntary Exclusion List. The move underscores the commitment of the PGCB to ensuring the safety and welfare of children within gambling establishments.
Among those added to the Involuntary Exclusion List were two employees of Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack who left a 14-month-old child unattended in a vehicle in the casino’s parking lot. Another individual, a male patron, was also placed on the list for leaving a two-year-old unattended in a vehicle at the Valley Forge Casino Resort.
Additionally, the PGCB added two players to the Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving children unattended in vehicles at the Rivers Casino Philadelphia and Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, respectively. In both cases, the children, ranging in age from three to 13, were left alone for several minutes while the individuals engaged in gambling activities.
These actions by the PGCB highlight the importance of responsible parenting and the safeguarding of children while visiting casinos. By imposing banning orders and including individuals on the Involuntary Exclusion List, the PGCB aims to create a safe and secure environment for all patrons, with particular attention to protecting vulnerable individuals, such as minors, from potential harm.
Evolution Launched Offering in Pennsylvania in June 2023
Pennsylvania’s online gambling market continues to expand as Evolution, a leading provider of online casino solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Caesars Digital in June 2023. The collaboration focuses on bringing Evolution’s renowned live casino products to Tropicana Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, adding further excitement to the Keystone State’s iGaming offerings. Moreover, the partnership will grant iGaming operators NetEnt and Red Tiger access to Evolution’s impressive portfolio of online slots.
Evolution sets itself apart by delivering immersive live dealer games through high-quality live streaming from its state-of-the-art studios. Players can expect an array of captivating titles, including American and European Roulette, classic and Infinite Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Three Card Poker. The integration of Evolution’s live casino products and online slots into the platforms of Tropicana Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino promises to enhance the overall gaming experience for Pennsylvania players.
By leveraging Evolution’s expertise and cutting-edge technology, Caesars Digital aims to provide its customers with top-notch entertainment and an extensive range of gaming options. The partnership reinforces Pennsylvania’s position as a thriving online gambling market, offering players a diverse selection of high-quality games from renowned providers like Evolution, NetEnt, and Red Tiger.
Sharing a statement was Jeff Millar, Chief Commercial Officer at Evolution, who claimed the operator was more than happy to make sure that players were enjoying the highest-quality game products around:
“We are delighted to be helping Caesars Digital expand their reach in Pennsylvania and to be part of this exciting journey. We have been working closely with Caesars for some time and we’re proud to be their live casino provider and to ensure they have the best games at their disposal for their players. We look forward to continuing this relationship and to seeing what new exciting developments come out of this latest expansion.”– Chief Commercial Officer, Jeff Millar, Evolution,Press Release
CDI and Bet365 Stepped Into Pennsylvania Market Back in January 2023
Bet365, a popular provider of online casino and retail casino offerings, is making significant strides in its expansion plans as it secured a market access deal for online sports betting and iGaming in Pennsylvania back in January 2023.
The deal comes in partnership with Presque Isle Downs & Casino, a subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI). This agreement marks an important step for Bet365’s entry into the Pennsylvania market and presents an opportunity for the operator to offer its comprehensive range of online gambling services to the state’s eager players.
Churchill Downs has outlined its broader strategy, which involves gradually shifting its focus away from the online sports and casino sector and instead placing more emphasis on developing its TwinSpires online horse racing wagering business. The company aims to divest its online sports and iGaming market access rights while continuing to maintain its retail sportsbook operations within its casino properties. This strategic shift underscores Churchill Downs’ commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of the gambling industry.
However, the finalized agreement between Bet365 and Churchill Downs Incorporated was still pending regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities in Pennsylvania. A Bet365 spokesperson took the opportunity to note that the provider had also recently launched offerings in the neighboring state of Ohio, before ensuring Pennsylvania sports betting fans a bounty of exciting gaming opportunities to come:
“Off the heels of our launch in Ohio, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with CDI. Once live, the world’s favorite online sports betting brand will be available to sports fans in Pennsylvania, offering fantastic site features, including bet boosts, same-game parlay, cash out and edit bet, on top of our market-leading sign-up offer.”
