Live! Casino Philadelphia has been hit with a $100,000 fine by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for allowing proxy sports bets to be placed at their facility. The violation came to light during a routine inspection by gaming officials, who discovered that several patrons were placing bets on sporting events through intermediaries, rather than placing the bets themselves.
Proxy betting is a practice in which a person, known as a proxy, places bets on behalf of another individual who is unable or unwilling to do so themselves. This practice is strictly forbidden under Pennsylvania gaming laws, as it can lead to potential fraud and money laundering issues.
The gaming control board took swift action against Live! Casino Philadelphia, issuing the hefty fine as a warning to other casinos in the state. In addition to the fine, the casino has been ordered to implement stricter security measures to prevent proxy betting in the future.
“We take these violations very seriously and will not tolerate any behavior that threatens the integrity of our gaming industry,” said the gaming control board in a statement. “We expect all casinos in Pennsylvania to adhere to the highest standards of compliance and ethics, and we will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to do so.”
The fine comes at a time when the casino industry in Pennsylvania is facing increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. With the recent legalization of online sports betting in the state, authorities are closely monitoring gaming establishments to ensure that they are operating within the bounds of the law.
Live! Casino Philadelphia has yet to comment on the fine, but it is likely that they will appeal the decision in an effort to reduce or overturn the penalty. In the meantime, the casino is working to tighten security measures and improve oversight to prevent future violations.
As the gaming industry in Pennsylvania continues to evolve, it is clear that regulators are taking a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of the law. Casinos must be vigilant in ensuring compliance with state regulations to avoid costly fines and damage to their reputations.