Politics & Government

Sands Casino Fined $56K for Underage Gambling Violations

Officials say teenagers were admitted to the Sands Casino and gambled in violation of state law.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently levied fines totaling $68,000 against two casinos and one vendor.

The fines were the result of agreements between the PGCB's Office of Enforcement Counsel and the casino license holders.

The largest of the fines, $56,000, was against Sands Bethworks Gaming, operator of the Sand Casino Resort Bethlehem in Northampton County for four incidents this year in which teenagers gained access to the gaming floor. 

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The incidents at the Sands occurred between February and June of this year:

  • February 7, 2013 - an 18-year-old female gained access to the gaming floor then gambled at both slot machines and table games
  • February 17, 2013 - a 20-year-old male gained access to the gaming floor then gambled at both slot machines and table games
  • March 17, 2013 - a 19-year-old-male gained access to the gaming floor then gambled on slot machines and at table games, and consumed alcohol
  • June 3, 2013 - a 17-year-old female gained access to the gaming floor then gambled at table games.

The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides that it is unlawful for persons under 21 years of age to wager, play or attempt to play slot machines or table games, as well as enter and remain in any area of a licensed facility where slot machines are operated or the play of table games is conducted.

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The board also levied a fine of $7,500 today against Washington Trotting Association, Inc., operator of The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County for allowing promotional mailings to be sent to 17 individuals on the Gaming Control Board's Self-Exclusion List.

The PGCB's Self-Exclusion Program permits problem gamblers to ban themselves from gambling at Pennsylvania casinos. The Self-Excluded individual is informed at the time when they agree to be placed on the list that they could be charged with criminal trespass if they enter a Pennsylvania casino. In addition, the casino also agrees to follow procedures to remove self-excluded persons from targeted mailings along with other forms of advertising or promotions.

To date, more than 5,500 individuals have requested to be excluded from Pennsylvania casinos.


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