The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has reported a notable decrease in incidents involving minors being left unattended at casinos. Despite this positive trend, the PGCB recently added three adults to the Involuntary Exclusion List for this very offense during a meeting held on Wednesday.
The PGCB has been dedicated to reducing these incidents, and for the second consecutive year, there is a significant decline in cases. Doug Harbach, the PGCB Communications Director, shared insights with PlayPennsylvania on Thursday, stating, “The casinos continue to prioritize preventing these occurrences, and our on-site Gaming Control Board staff closely monitors each situation when they do occur.” He also expressed gratitude towards patrons who take the initiative to report any unattended minors to casino personnel, enabling quick security responses.
For 2024, the state is on track to record 192 incidents involving 346 minors. While these figures indicate progress, Harbach emphasized, “One incident is still too many.” He expressed concern about adults choosing to leave minors unattended while visiting casinos, urging them to reconsider this behavior. “We not only urge casino patrons to refrain from this behavior, which can lead to consequences such as arrest or a casino ban, but we also recommend reaching out to 1-800-GAMBLER or visiting responsibleplay.pa.gov for assistance in recognizing gambling problems and finding available help,” he noted.
Ongoing Efforts and Consequences for Leaving Minors Unattended
The PGCB and Pennsylvania casinos have launched several initiatives aimed at preventing adults from leaving children unattended. These measures include increased signage, enhanced security protocols, and a campaign titled “Don’t Gamble With Kids.” Additionally, adults can face criminal charges for leaving minors unsupervised in casino environments.
Despite the overall decrease in incidents, the PGCB remains vigilant in addressing specific cases that put children at risk. Recently, three adults were added to the Involuntary Exclusion List due to alarming situations:
- A male patron left a 13-year-old alone in a vehicle for 39 minutes in the parking lot of Live! Casino Philadelphia, where the temperature reached 92 degrees, while he gambled in the sportsbook.
- Another male patron left two minors, aged 12 and 13, unattended in a running vehicle for 31 minutes in the same parking lot, with the outside temperature at 87 degrees, while he played slots.
- A female patron left four young children, aged three, six, seven, and ten, unattended in a running vehicle for 25 minutes in the parking garage of Harrah’s Philadelphia while she played slots and visited the food court.
The PGCB is committed to reducing these incidents to zero across Pennsylvania. While progress is evident, the board recognizes that the issue remains serious and requires ongoing attention.
Source : https://www.playpennsylvania.com/unattended-children-casino-incidents-decreasing/