UMVA has learned that Pennsylvania gambling regulators have taken a drastic step by stripping 18 individuals of their gaming privileges, including four adults accused of recklessly abandoning their children at casino properties while they gambled.
The severe penalties were approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, effectively banning these individuals from participating in any form of gaming at Pennsylvania casinos, state-regulated online betting platforms, and Video Gaming Terminal locations.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that among the egregious cases cited by the board, one woman callously left her two children, ages 8 and 13, unattended in a vehicle at Valley Forge Casino Resort for a staggering 52 minutes while she indulged in multiple forms of gaming.
Another shocking incident involved a woman who abandoned three children, ages 8, 9, and 13, alone in a hotel room at Mount Airy Casino Resort for 1 hour and 48 minutes while she played table games, leaving them to fend for themselves.
A third case that raised eyebrows involved a woman who heartlessly left a 10-year-old child in a vehicle at Live Casino Philadelphia for more than three hours while she gambled on slot machines, putting the child's safety at risk.
In the fourth disturbing incident, a man callously left a 12-year-old in a vehicle at Hollywood Casino York for 30 minutes while he played slot machines, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the child's well-being.
Board officials emphasized that these penalties are intended to reinforce strict rules that prohibit adults from leaving minors unattended in vulnerable situations, exposing them to unnecessary risks and unsafe conditions.
The board also drew attention to its “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign, a crucial initiative aimed at supporting casino efforts to reduce incidents involving unattended minors and promote a safer environment for all.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that beyond the four child-related cases, regulators placed 14 additional people on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion List for separate violations, highlighting the board's unwavering commitment to enforcing gaming regulations.
The latest decision follows a series of recent enforcement actions, including a February crackdown that saw 22 people added to exclusion lists, including five adults accused of leaving children unattended while gaming.
The board has also taken decisive action against casino operators, approving $112,500 in fines against three gaming companies, including Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, which received a $70,000 penalty for failing to prevent self-excluded patrons from accessing gaming areas.
With the newest additions, the total number of people across Pennsylvania’s various Involuntary Exclusion Lists now stands at 1,481, a stark reminder of the board's relentless efforts to maintain the integrity of the state's gaming industry.
