In a sweeping move by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia has been hit with a hefty $100,000 fine. This penalty, aimed at the casino operator Stadium Casino RE, LLC, comes on the heels of a series of infractions related to sports wagering. The hammer fell after the PGCB green-lighted a consent agreement brought forward by its Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) during a highly anticipated public forum.
Live! Casino Staff Canned and Penalized for $287K in Illicit Proxy Bets
At the heart of this scandal, a trio of employees from the bustling Live! Casino Sportsbook were caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar, placing a staggering 15 proxy bets totaling $287,421 over a mere eight days. The kicker? These bets were made on behalf of a punter who was nowhere near the casino, but rather placing wagers over phone calls—a clear violation of both casino policy and Pennsylvania law. In a game where the rules are king, the Gaming Act unequivocally prohibits taking bets from anyone other than the person placing them.
The fallout was swift and severe. The three staff members involved were promptly shown the door, and their licenses to work in any casino were revoked. Meanwhile, the gambler, now persona non grata in Pennsylvania’s gambling circles, was unceremoniously added to the PGCB’s involuntary exclusion list, effectively banning them from rolling the dice anywhere in the state.
PGCB Stands Firm on Exclusion List, Puts Spotlight on Child Safety
Proxy betting wasn’t the only issue under the PGCB’s microscope. In a bold move to safeguard minors, the board rejected requests from two individuals seeking removal from the Involuntary Exclusion List. Their crime? Leaving their children unattended while they indulged in a gambling spree. The board’s decision underscores its firm stance on children’s welfare and responsible gambling.
The PGCB drew a line in the sand, declaring, “Actions like these to deny statewide gambling privileges serve as a stark reminder that adults must not leave minors unattended. Whether it’s a parking lot, hotel, or any venue within a casino, such negligence poses a potentially perilous environment for children. To bolster this effort, the Board created the ‘Don’t Gamble with Kids’ awareness campaign to drive home this critical message.”
In response to the regulatory crackdown, Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia has vowed to uphold stringent compliance and transparency. The casino emphasized the necessity of rigorous training for their staff to identify and thwart proxy wagering. FanDuel, a strategic partner to Live! Casino, has ramped up training initiatives among its employees to ensure unwavering adherence to the rules of the game.
In Other News: Wind Creek Bethlehem Takes a Hit
The PGCB didn’t stop there. In a separate enforcement action, Wind Creek Bethlehem found itself on the receiving end of a $125,000 fine. The offense? Allowing underage individuals to gamble on their casino floor—a grave lapse in maintaining the sanctity of the gaming environment. This serves as a potent reminder that in the world of gambling, the stakes are high, and the house’s rules are ironclad.
