Pennsylvania casino's negotiated fine called too small

Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, the subsidiary of Penn National Gaming that operates the horse racing track and slots machine parlor about 15 miles east of Harrisburg, was fined $24,000 after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said the casino allowed underage gamblers to place wagers on three occasions in July and August. State law bans anyone under the age of 21 from playing slot machines.

This is the second time Hollywood Casino was fined for such violations. In September 2008, the casino in East Hanover Twp., Dauphin County, was fined $5,000 after a 20-year-old was found playing the slots. Statewide there have been 26 incidents of underage gamblers, resulting in total fines of $210,000 against four casinos.

"That is minuscule in the grand scheme of things. I'm glad they fined them, but it's not enough," said Dianne Berlin, head of the anti-gambling group CasinoFreePa. "The whole thing is a joke."

All of the fine amounts were the result of consent agreements negotiated between the casinos and the Gaming Board's lawyers. There is no set schedule of fines. Board spokesman Doug Harbach said the agreements are subject to approval by the board.

Fine money goes to the state's general fund, with part designated for the Department of Health's Problem Gambling Education and Outreach Fund.

In every instance when a casino in Pennsylvania has been fined for underage gamblers, the violations have been self-reported by the casinos. By law, the casinos are required to file the reports with the board. Harbach said the casinos' security staffs have done a good job of catching underage gamblers who sneak onto the gambling floor.

It was unclear if the underage gamblers were charged, but Harbach said they were most likely escorted from the casino.

The Gaming Board's enforcement arm relies on the self-reporting system, Harbach said. It does not use underage individuals for sting operations similar to those used to catch bars or convenience stores selling alcohol or tobacco to minors. Failing to self-report violations would be a very serious offense, he said.

That weak system is the result of legislation and regulations that have been written by the gambling indy, Berlin said.

"The gambling interests control what is done here in Pennsyl-Vegas," she said. "The fines have to be very hefty if we want them to be serious about cracking down."

Berlin said she would like to see a set fine schedule instead of negotiated agreements. On top of that, she called for a three-strikes policy that would strip casinos of their license if they have repeat violations.

Hollywood Casino is serious about preventing underage gamblers, casino spokesman Fred Lipkin said.

"It's not like the Gaming Board came down on us. These were all self-reported," he said. "It's something we are very diligent about."

Casino policy calls for security personnel stationed at all entrances to the gambling floor to scan driver's licenses or other photo identification of guests who appear to be under the age of 30. Those whose ID has been checked are issued a wristband, the color of which is different each day. Security personnel on the gaming floor also card anyone who appears under 30 if they do not have the wristband.

Lipkin said Hollywood Casino has taken steps to tighten enforcement. Areas where several doors entering the gambling floor might have allowed an underage gambler to blend into the crowd entering when the casino is busy have been modified to channel all patrons through a narrower passageway to make it easier for security to check all who enter.

Keeping underage gamblers off the casino floor makes for a better experience for everybody, Lipkin said.

"We fully understand the need for responsible gaming," Lipkin said. "This is entertainment for adults."

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