The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has taken swift action against the operator of a Pittsburgh-area casino after it was discovered that a gambler on the self-exclusion list was allowed to enter the establishment and place bets. The operator has been fined $10,000 for this clear violation of state regulations.
The incident occurred at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, where a man who had previously signed up for the self-exclusion program was able to gain access to the casino floor and gamble for several hours before being caught. The self-exclusion program is designed to help individuals who may have a gambling problem by prohibiting them from entering casinos and participating in any form of gambling activities.
According to reports, the man had voluntarily enrolled in the self-exclusion program and his information was supposed to be entered into a database that is checked by casino staff before allowing access to the premises. However, an oversight or error occurred that allowed the man to slip through the cracks and ultimately gamble at the casino.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board conducted an investigation into the matter and found that the casino operator was at fault for failing to properly enforce the self-exclusion program. As a result, the operator was fined $10,000 for the violation.
In a statement, the gaming control board emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the self-exclusion program and ensuring that individuals who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling are not able to access casinos. The board also reminded all casino operators in the state of their responsibility to strictly adhere to state regulations and maintain a safe gambling environment for all patrons.
The fines issued by the gaming control board are meant to serve as a deterrent to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The operator of the Rivers Casino has reportedly taken steps to improve their procedures and reinforce the importance of compliance with the self-exclusion program.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences for operators who fail to enforce important regulations aimed at protecting individuals with gambling problems. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will continue to monitor and enforce compliance with all gaming regulations to ensure a safe and responsible gambling environment for all patrons.