Casino Fined for Underage Gambling

stacy123 · #1 01-27-2010, 07:01 PM

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has fined Holdings Acquisition Co. L.P., operator of the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh for violations dealing with underage gambling.

A 15 year old female was able to gain entry into the casino on October 14th of 2009 and placed wagers on a slot machine for about seventeen minutes.

That wasn't the only recent instance. On December 13, 2025 a 14 year old male gained entry and he placed wagers at a slot machine for about 4 minutes.

They were fined $16,000 for these incidences.

Quote:

The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides that it is unlawful for persons under 21 years of age to operate or use slot machines and that individuals under 18 years of age may not enter the gaming floor of a licensed facility.

During the past two years, the Gaming Control Board has levied fines statewide on eight occasions for violations of underage gambling or minors on the gaming floor totaling $232,500.

I am all for having some fun and gambling but I agree that children should not be allowed to do so. Hopefully they will tighten up their ship so that this doesn't happen again.

beaston · #2 01-27-2010, 07:16 PM

Maybe if they started fining the parents, too, then they might actually grow up and start taking care of their kids.

scoobygirl30 · #3 01-28-2010, 03:40 PM

I do agree that casinos should be more careful about who enters the building to gamble. I know when I go to our local casinos, I am always asked for my I.D and I have been of age for lets say a while now.

Though I do have to disagree with the parents being fined for these kids. Parents can not keep tabs on every little activity that their kids do constantly.

These kids were old enough to know better than to attempt something such as this, but the parents cant be held responsible, even though it sounds like a good idea.

Maybe forcing the kids to perform community service for a select period of time for these types of actions maybe a better solution.

Kids will always push their luck, I know I did as a kid and I am sure that just about everyone else in here has also done the same thing.

Casinos have people who stand at the doors and check the I.D. of anyone who enters who appears to be underage or possibly underage, so in truth it is actually the fault of the casino's that this happened.

If those who are supposed to check I.D. were doing their jobs then this would have never happened, so I believe that the casinos should look into their own staff.

beaston · #4 01-28-2010, 05:56 PM

Actually, if a minor goes out and breaks the law (which they were doing by entering the casino in the first place), the parents can be held accountable. Say for instance a minor goes out and vandalizes someone's property...they're going to sue the parents, not the kids...

But, I do agree on the community service...they should be held accountable in some sort of way...all they're getting in this situation is basically a slap on the wrist and told "don't do it again."

scoobygirl30 · #5 01-29-2010, 12:32 PM

Well I like the community service sentence idea, because right now there are just way to many people who couldnt afford to pay a fine of any kind. Thats why I feel for parents who could possibly recieve fines because their children have decided to do something that they shouldnt have.

Community service in this situation would be a good idea as there are alot of things that kids can do that wont be a walk in the park for them and hopefully learn a lesson with out forcing the parents to pay out of pocket.

Though these kids should have known better in the first place not to go into a casino and attempt to gamble, but of course kids will do some strange things for some strange reasons.

I know that if it were my kid that did this there wouldnt be a need for a fine, because they would find themselves in a world of trouble and on house arrest til they reach adulthood all the while cleaning house and studying daily!!

stacy123 · #6 01-29-2010, 04:21 PM

I agree with all of you. Parents should be held accountable as well. I know of this couple who has a son who is now 17 I believe. This kid has been in every kind of trouble you can think of. I don't mean little stuff either.. I mean big trouble. The thing is, his parents have never done anything to get him in control. They think it's all funny.

For myself, If one of my kids entered a casino and played I would be furious if I were in trouble over it because I have done everything possible to teach my kids right from wrong. My kids don't run the streets, get bad grades or get in trouble. I have a major hand in their everyday lives. But you just never know. I can't be with them 24/7.

So I guess there are two sides to that story lol.

I would say if it were a kid who has been in trouble multiple times, then the kid and the parents should be accountable.

scoobygirl30 · #7 01-31-2010, 02:06 PM

In that case where the kid has been in trouble for some serious stuff and continues to do so, then yes I would say that the parents should have to pay up. That is just horrible that parents would think its so funny to watch their child get into so much trouble and never do anything to set them straight. Thats just not good parenting.

Though I still say for those kids who really dont get themselves into alot of trouble then something like community service would be sufficient.