Pennsylvania Continues To Fine Casinos For Underage Gambling

The state of Pennsylvania wants to make it clear to casinos that underage drinking and gambling will not be tolerated. With table games being unveiled in the next month at many casinos, the Gaming Control Board again showed they mean business on Thursday.

Sands Resort Casino Bethlehem has been hit with a $48,000 fine, stemming from allowing underage drinking and gambling at the casino. Sands has been in compliance with the regulations of the state since opening in May of 2010, with this becoming the first fine.

Two separate incidents were reported to the Gaming Board. The first was only a minor occurrence, with the underage gamblers only being in the casino for a matter of minutes. The second involved a twenty year old who spent almost six hours at the casino spanning two different occasions.

"Once table games are installed and operational in Pennsylvania casinos, there are going to many underage gamblers trying to gain access to the tables," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. "That's why it has been important for the Gaming Control Board to show the casinos over the past couple of months that underage gambling will not be tolerated."

Pennsylvania is looking to become the top gaming area in the Northeast. Having already passed Atlantic City in slot revenue last December, the addition of table games will give Pennsylvania casinos the ammunition needed to fully compete with New Jersey.

July 8th becomes an important date for gamblers. The Meadows Racetrack Casino, Presque Isle Downs, and the Rivers Casino all plan to begin offering table games on that date. The other six casinos in the state will start the table games between July 8th and July 18th.

Roulette, craps, blackjack, and poker will bring a new dynamic to the casinos, and also a new clientele. The high roller gamblers who have flocked from Pennsylvania to Atlantic City casinos will now be able to stay closer to home to gamble on their favorite games.

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