Pennsylvania Adds New Exclusions Over Child Neglect Cases

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Four of the cases involved minors left alone in cars or hotel rooms while adults gambled.

Pennsylvania adds to their exclusion lists

Key Takeaways:

  • Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board excluded 18 individuals for child neglect at casinos, online platforms, and gaming terminals
  • Recent enforcement targets minors left unattended in vehicles and hotel rooms during gambling activities
  • The crackdown aims to strengthen safety rules, with over 1,480 people now on the involuntary exclusion list

Pennsylvania gaming regulators have barred 18 people from gambling in the state after a new round of enforcement actions that again included parents accused of leaving children unattended at casino properties. 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the exclusions on June 17, extending a policy that affects casinos, regulated online betting platforms and video gaming terminal locations across the state. Industry operators have been repeatedly warned that child supervision lapses can trigger serious sanctions.

Repeat Enforcement Signals Harder Line

Four of the cases involved minors left alone in cars or hotel rooms while adults gambled. In one matter, a woman allegedly left two children, ages 8 and 13, in a vehicle at Valley Forge Casino Resort for 52 minutes. 

In another, a woman left three children in a hotel room at Mount Airy Casino Resort for 1 hour and 48 minutes. Two other cases involved children left in vehicles at Live! Casino Philadelphia and Hollywood Casino York.

The board said the rules are designed to prevent unsafe conditions, and it continues to promote its “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign. The latest action follows similar enforcement in February, when regulators excluded 22 people, including five adults accused of leaving minors unattended. Officials also said 14 of the newest exclusions were tied to separate violations.

Since these actions are part of a broader crackdown, Pennsylvania’s involuntary exclusion lists now include 1,481 people. The board’s next public meeting is set for July 22 in Harrisburg.

The state announced this week that skill games come under the umbrella of illegal slot machines.