The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has levied a penalty of $45,000 (£36,716/€42,307) against Pilot Travel Centers for permitting underage gambling at one of its video gaming terminal (VGT) locations within the state.
The violation involving underage gambling was detected at a licensed truck stop in Smithton, Pennsylvania. Pilot Travel Centers was also subject to a penalty for failing to have a certified employee on duty.
Following discussions between the PGCB’s Office of Enforcement Counsel and Pilot Travel Centers, both parties reached an agreement on the $45,000 fine.
Furthermore, four Pennsylvania adults were added to the Pennsylvania Voluntary Exclusion List for leaving children unsupervised while engaging in gambling activities.
One female gambler left three children – aged 10, 14, and 15 – in a running vehicle within the parking area of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. The woman participated in gambling activities inside the Pennsylvania establishment for a duration of two hours and two minutes while the children were left unattended.
Another female patron left a minor unsupervised on two separate occasions at two different casinos. A 10-year-old child was left in a vehicle near the parking lot of Rivers Casino Philadelphia for a period of 22 minutes.
It has been reported that two youngsters, aged 11 and 12, were left unsupervised in a vehicle in the parking area of Live! Casino Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. The young ones were left by themselves in the vehicle for 25 minutes while their caretaker went inside the gambling establishment to collect promotional items.
A male bettor was prohibited from entering Live! Casino Philadelphia in Pennsylvania for leaving his three-year-old and seven-year-old offspring in a running car. The seven-year-old child departed the vehicle and was discovered wandering in the garage, while the younger child remained alone in the car. The two children were left alone in the car for a total of 24 minutes while the adult gambled in the sports betting section.
Finally, another male gambler was banned from Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino in Pennsylvania for leaving a five-year-old child alone in a car. The temperature was 22 degrees, and the child was left alone in the car for 27 minutes.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board stated, “The Board’s actions serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors alone in casino parking lots or garages, hotels, or other locations, as this creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for children.”
“Leaving minors unsupervised at casinos in Pennsylvania, in addition to being banned from all Pennsylvania casinos, can result in criminal prosecution for offenders.”