Pennsylvania: Legislators can't do enough to protect Slot Barns

Do we have laws to prosecute minors for purchasing liquor?

Don't we penalize the liquor stores?

Do we have laws that prosecute minors for buying cigarettes?

Don't we penalize the stores that sell them?

In Pennsylvania legislators can't do enough to protect Slot Barns!

Bill targets underage gamblers
BY ROBERT SWIFT (HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF)


HARRISBURG - Underage gamblers crashing casinos would face stiff fines under pending legislation being drafted by an Allegheny County lawmaker.

Rep. Paul Costa, D-34, Turtle Creek, said he decided to sponsor the bill making underage gambling a criminal offense following recent action by the state Gaming Control Board to levy fines against three casinos, including Mount Airy Casino Resort, for allowing underage individuals on the gaming floor.

Mr. Costa said he's heard reports of an increasing number of individuals under the legal state age minimum of 21 attempting to gamble at casinos. "The gaming board's prohibition against underage gambling is classified as a nongaming summary offense, which is not a disincentive and nothing more than a slap on the wrist," said Mr. Costa, a member of the House Gaming Oversight Committee.

Under his proposal, a first conviction would be classified as a summary offense with a fine up to $2,000. A conviction for a second or subsequent offense would be a third-degree misdemeanor with a fine up to $5,000. The measure would allow for higher fines if an offender used fake or forged identification to enter a casino.

Other penalties being considered would include community service, forfeiture or payback of gambling winnings and putting an offender's name on the excluded gamblers' list.

"My legislation makes it very clear to young people that taking a chance at a casino if you're under 21 years old is a bad idea and has lasting consequences," said Mr. Costa.

After the gaming board approved underage fines for Mount Airy, the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and Hollywood Casino in Dauphin County, Chairman Greg Fajt said board members would support any legislation to levy tougher penalties against underage gamblers.

The issue of penalties for underage gambling warrants a close look by lawmakers, said Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Tamaqua, a member of the gaming oversight panel. He is reserving comment on Mr. Costa's bill until it's formally introduced