NEWS
5 October 2017
Pennsylvania regulators fine three casinos $77,500
By Robert Simmons
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) have fined three casinos in the state a total of $77,500 for violations of its gaming laws relating to underage gamblers.

Casino operator SugarHouse HSP Gaming LP was fined $10,000 for allowing underage gambling to take place at its SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, while the owners of the River Casino in Pittsburgh, Holdings Acquisition Company LP were fined a total of $42,500.

The PGCB issued a $22,500 fine to Holdings Acquisition after it found that the casino had failed to adhere to state procedures regarding the treatment of a self-excluded individual.

Under current Pennsylvania statutes, gaming facilities operating in the state must refuse wagers from, and deny gaming privileges such as player’s cards and cash advances to individuals who are on the self-exclusion list, with Holdings failing to do so.

Holdings was issued with a separate $20,000 fine for holding five poker tournaments prior to its submission to and approval by the PGCB of its 2017 Poker Schedule.

State regulations require that any casino which elects to conduct a poker tournament must submit a proposed schedule of tournaments to be conducted to the PGCB’s Executive Director for approval.

Downs Racing LP, operators of the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino resort were also fined $25,000 for failing to report an incident in 2016, in which compromised decks with incorrect cards were utilised during the play of poker and the subsequent failure of casino personnel to properly notify the Board of the incident.