PGCB Bans Adults from Gambling for Violating State Laws

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has convened once again, banning a total of eight people from accessing the state’s land-based and online casinos and other gambling activities over various offenses documented by the watchdog. Eight people were placed on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion List, linked to leaving minors unattended while they proceeded to gamble at various properties in the Keystone State. Among the people placed on the list was a woman who left her 11-month-old in a vehicle parked at Rivers Casino Philadelphia for 1 hour and 52 minutes while she played at the table gaming area. Two patrons, a man and a woman, also left an 11-year-old at the food court of Wind Creek Bethlehem for 1 hour and 14 minutes while they proceeded to gamble on slot machines. Another pair, a man and a woman, left an 11-year-old and two dogs in a vehicle in the parking lot of Live! Philadelphia Casino for 23 minutes while they were gambling on slot machines. While the measure may appear severe, the PGCB has argued that it is necessary to help highlight that adults may not leave minors unattended in order to continue gambling, pointing out that these environments are unsafe for the children. Presently, the Involuntary Exclusion Lists in the state have 1,512 such individuals added, with the PGCB also putting the onus on casinos and properties to ensure that they do not allow such accidents to take place on their properties. Casinos have been actively seeking to strengthen security and surveillance, but incidents do occur. The fairly fast discovery of such cases, though, indicates that licensed operators are taking the responsibility seriously and pouring more resources and staff into ensuring that minors are not left unattended.