PA Gaming Control Board issues $79,000 fines

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has this week unveiled fines totalling $79,500 for two racetrack operators for various violations.

Robert Soper, former President and CEO of Downs Racing, L.P., operator of Mohegan Sun Pocono in Luzerne County, was personally fined $60,000 for failure to properly disclose various business interests. The second fine was given to Washington Trotting Association Inc., operator of The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, which was assessed a $12,000 fine for a Self-Exclusion List violation and a $7,500 punishment for unapproved operational plan changes.

The PGCB, which is tasked to oversee all aspects of the state's casino industry, along with oversight of new gaming initiatives to the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, approved the fines at its public meeting with the entities involved.

Following the meeting, the PGCB said in an official statement: “The fine against Mr. Soper stemmed from his failure to properly disclose on his key employee and principal licence renewal forms his ownership interests in 10 companies including two, Drinkholder and ReferLocal, which did business directly with Mohegan Sun Pocono.

“The $12,000 fine against Washington Trotting Association, Inc. was the result of personnel at The Meadows Casino allowing an individual who is on the PGCB's Self-Excluded Persons List to gamble and cash in chips at the casino's cage.”