PGCB Fines Six Gaming Companies More Than $230,000 In Total

Summary

• Penalties include underage gambling, intoxication, and self-exclusion issues.
• The largest fine was $85,500 for financial statement delays.
• Mohegan Sun, Hollywood Casino, and Rivers Casino Philadelphia were among those fined.

During its recent meeting this week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced several fines against multiple gaming operators in the state. In total, $238,500 must be paid by six companies based on regulation failings.

The number of penalties was unusually high for a one-month time frame and included various issues such as underage gambling and self-exclusion violations.

Details of the Largest Fines

Two operators were fined larger sums due to the nature of the regulator failing. Gaming Partners International USA and GPI Mexicana S.A. de C.V. are table game manufacturing companies with licensing in the state. These companies were fined $85,500 each for financial statement delays. The companies did not send in 2019 and 2020 paperwork in time.

The Hollywood Casino had to pay a $40,000 fine for alcohol service. According to the Board, the casino located at The Meadows overserved individuals on three separate occasions in May. One of the individuals ended up hurting himself. The other two were involved in altercations at the casino due to drinking. The altercations including other patrons, police, and security staff in separate incidents.

Smaller Fines for Other Operators

Three other operators in the state were fined as well but their totals were much lower. The Mohegan Sun Pocono had to pay $10,000 due to self-exclusion issues. The casino allowed an individual on the self-exclusion list to play slots for several hours and cashed a check for the individual at the cashier cage, giving the patron $400 to play with.

Any time an individual is on the self-exclusion list, the casino is not allowed to let the person inside. ID checks should take place and the person flagged, so they are not allowed to play casino games and further their gambling addiction issue. The Mohegan Sun Pocono did not flag this individual and must now pay the penalty for failing to do so.

The Rivers Casino Philadelphia was also fined $10,000 after a 20-year-old was allowed onto the gaming floor. The individual played hands of high-limit blackjack before he was kicked out. The player was told on by his girlfriend to security staff members.

Rivers Casino Pittsburg was also fined, having to pay the lowest fine of the month, at $7,500. This fine was issued due to a technical violation involving slot machines. The casino did not remove 12 gaming machines after the Board decided that the software of the game was no longer allowed in the state.