GRANTVILLE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Gaming Board announced this week that it has banned three people from patronizing all casinos across the Commonwealth for leaving their children unattended while gambling.
One of those banned was gambling at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, the Board said.
The other two offenses happened at casinos in Erie County.
While the offenders were not identified, the Board said:
- A male patron was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List after leaving a 9-year-old unattended in a vehicle with an outside temperature of 49 degrees in the parking lot of Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie County for 3 minutes while he gambled in the sportsbook
- A female patron was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List after leaving three children, ages 4, 7 and 12, unattended in a vehicle with an outside temperature of 72 degrees in the parking lot of Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie County for 1 hour and 15 minutes while she gambled at slot machines; and,
- A female patron was placed on the Involuntary Exclusion List after leaving a 12-year-old unattended in a vehicle with an outside temperature of 50 degrees at the valet entrance at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course for 15 minutes while she gambled at slot machines.
The Board’s actions serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venues at a casino since it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for the children.
Leaving minors unattended at a Pennsylvania casino also subjects the offending adult to criminal prosecution in addition to exclusion from all Pennsylvania casinos.
To complement the efforts by casinos to mitigate this issue, the Board created an awareness campaign, “Don’t Gamble with Kids."
