$10K Fine Against Parx Casino For Allowing Underage Gambling
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BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Parx Casino has been fined $10,000 by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for permitting the entry of an 18-year-old underage gambler into the Street Road casino last year
The gaming board said during a public meeting last week that Parx Casino was fined for an incident in which an 18-year-old man gained access to the gaming floor and gambled. The incident took place on Aug. 15, 2021.
The approved consent agreement was the result of negotiations between the board and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, Inc, operator of Parx Casino.
The $10,000 fine was levied after casino personnel permitted entry to the 18-year-old onto the gaming floor who then gambled at a gaming table.
The teenager entered the casino at 12:29 a.m. where three security officers were assigned to the gaming floor entrance at the Valet Pickup area.
According to details from the gaming board, the teenager entered the gaming floor a few minutes later while security officers were checking his companions. He was not asked for identification, the board stated in a document of its findings released to Patch Monday.
Once on the gaming floor, the teen approached a cage cashier at Window 13 of the Xclusive Cage and had a brief conversation with a teller. However, no transaction took place and no identification was requested.
While on the floor for 11 minutes, the individual placed several $25 wagers before his identification was once again requested. The gaming board said casino management was alerted and that the teenager was removed from the gaming floor and placed in the custody of state police and issued a citation.
The board said the individual also did not consumer any alcoholic beverages while in the casino.
Pennsylvania law prohibits an individual under the age of 21 from accessing the gaming floor or gambling in a casino. It is the responsibility of casino personnel to verify the age of an individual accessing its casino and engaging in gaming activities.
Parx spokeswoman Carrie Nork Minelli said the teen evaded security by mixing in with a group of people who were all over 21., the Bucks County Courier News reported.
Minelli said the teen was identified by staff as looking young and was escorted out after showing his ID. The incident was immediately reported to the Bureau of Casino Compliance, as is Parx policy, Minelli said.
Parx also has to pay $2,500 for costs incurred by the board for the investigation.
This is the second incident involving Parx Casino, the gaming board stated, since Parx Casino's slot machine license was renewed in May 2019. A warning letter was also issued in January 2020.
