Pennsylvania Gaming Board Updates Involuntary Exclusion Lists
January 17, 2025 Marija D
Pennsylvania casinos or online betting platforms regulated by the board. Violations leading to these bans include leaving minors unattended and engaging in fraudulent activities.
Cases Involving Unattended Minors
The PGCB placed four individuals on the Casino Involuntary Exclusion List for leaving minors unattended while they participated in gambling activities. Specific incidents include:
- A man and woman abandoned three children, aged 5, 7, and 9, in a vehicle at Valley Forge Casino Resort’s parking lot. The children were left for six minutes in 80-degree weather while the adults gambled on table games and at the sportsbook.
- Another man left an 11-month-old baby in a vehicle at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. The child remained unattended for 45 minutes in 40-degree weather while the man played slot machines.
- A separate incident at Live! Casino Philadelphia involved a man leaving a 13-year-old unattended in a vehicle for 10 minutes in 75-degree weather while he engaged in sportsbook gambling.
These actions highlight the serious risks posed to minors in such circumstances. Pennsylvania law strictly prohibits leaving children unattended in casino parking lots, garages, hotels, or other casino venues. To combat this issue, the PGCB has launched the “Don’t Gamble with Kids” awareness campaign, aiming to educate and deter such behavior.
Fraudulent Activities on iGaming Platforms
The board also added eight individuals to its Involuntary iGaming Exclusion List due to fraudulent behavior. These offenders manipulated online platforms by creating multiple s using other people’s personal information. Examples of these violations include:
- One individual created and accessed 19 separate online s, exploiting stolen identities.
- Another individual created 20 s and accessed them fraudulently, causing significant financial disruptions.
- A separate case involved a person who accessed 14 s and requested illegal chargebacks totaling $6,681 on a credit card.
- Additional cases involved the misuse of personal data to fund s, withdraw funds, and generate fraudulent transactions.
These incidents reflect the PGCB’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of online gaming operations. By barring these individuals, the board aims to deter fraudulent activities and protect legitimate players.
Beyond these cases, 14 additional individuals were banned for actions deemed harmful to the interests of Pennsylvania’s gaming community. Offenses ranged from criminal behavior to violations of casino policies. To date, 1,269 individuals have been placed on the Casino Involuntary Exclusion List since its inception. Among them, three are listed on both the casino and iGaming exclusion lists, underscoring the board’s comprehensive approach to enforcement.
The PGCB’s next public meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg. Meeting agendas and additional details will be available on the board’s website prior to the event.
Source:
”PA Gaming Control Board Places 26 Individuals on its Involuntary Exclusion Lists”, gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov, January 15, 2025.
