Pennsylvania fines Hollywood Casino at Penn National and Wind Creek $27K for self-exclusion breaches

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) announced on May 18 the approval of three consent agreements, which applied fines to two casinos and one provider of gaming services, totaling $35,500 for self-exclusion violations and unlicensed activities. 

The fined companies include Wind Creek Bethlehem, operator of Wind Creek Casino Bethlehem in Northampton County, which will have to pay $20,000 for a self-exclusion violation. The casino personnel failed to stop an individual on the PGCB’s Self-Exclusion list from actively participating in table games gambling in its facility on a number of visits over a 4-day period.

Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, operator of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Dauphin County, will have to pay $7,500 for the same sort of violation, as a self-excluded individual was able to gamble at slot machines and cashed a personal check at the company’s property. 

The third agreement forces Underdog Sports to pay an $8,000 fine for operating fantasy contests without securing required licenses. The company offered games in Pennsylvania with two unlicensed shareholders who, per Board regulations, were required to undergo background investigations and be licensed. In addition, five corporate entities created by the company were similarly not licensed during a time when the firm offered Fantasy Contest games. 

This week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported an increase of 14% in gaming revenue in April compared to the same period in 2021, as the state’s casinos reached $461.6 million. The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course was the market leader last month with total revenue of $65.6 million, which was mostly generated from online gaming, accounting for $45.2 million.