Consequences May Heighten For Gambling Parents Leaving Kids In Car

In Pennsylvania, almost everything is good these days when it comes to their casino gambling industry. One problem the state is having, however, has to deal with parents leaving their children in the car while the adult gambles in the casinos.

The Parx Casino has had the most cases of this offense, with six incidents this summer alone. The cause for concern has turned to a call of action for two lawmakers in the state who are seeking tougher penalties for those who commit this crime.

Child Services usually gets involved with these cases and in many instances, the parents have been stripped of custody while the case proceeds. This penalty and the risk of facing a misdemeanor has not been enough to deter gamblers from leaving their children in the automobiles.

Representative Gene DiGirolamo is creating the legislation that will draw up more serious consequences. DiGirolamo is being joined in his efforts by state Senator Tommy Tomlinson. The goal of the two Republican lawmakers is to let it be known that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

"If people know there are severe consequences, that there is a really good possibility that if you get caught you're going to be sent to jail and face a severe penalty, I think we can get that message out," said Tomlinson, as reported by KYW NewsRadio 1060. "I mean, hopefully that will stop some people."

Pennsylvania casinos are experiencing a boom in the past couple of years. The industry has become so strong in the Northeast, that it is battling New Jersey to become the gaming capital of the East Coast. Lawmakers legalized table games earlier this year, and the casinos started offering the games in July.

Parx Casino in Bethlehem had been warned by the Gaming Control Board last week about their security practices. The Board claimed that Parx has not done enough to deter the activity from taking place, but the casino was defiant while defending their security measures. Just days after that exchange, another incident took place involving a man leaving his children in the car while playing slots at Parx.

August 31, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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