Pennsylvania Casinos Allow Problem Gamblers, Then Keep Winnings

Pennsylvania Casinos Allow Problem Gamblers, Then Keep Winnings

Some casinos in Pennsylvania appear to be taking advantage of problem gamblers by letting them enter the casino, gamble, and then confiscating winnings of those who had opted-in to a self-exclusion program.

Pennsylvania casinos had better get a whole lot more serious about their self-exclusion program for those patrons with gambling addictions.


This past week, another gambler was permitted to play slot machines, and then had his winnings confiscated when the gambler hit a jackpot.

The man won $2,001 on a slot machine at Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania on Friday. When the casino took his identification to award him the winnings, they realized that the gamblers was on the self-exclusion list.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board created the list for gamblers with addictions to keep themselves out of casinos. It is not fully the responsibility of the casino to monitor the list, but they are responsible for keeping those on the list out of their establishments.

“This is an issue that could become very serious in the coming years with table games being added at these Pennsylvania casinos,” said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. “If the Gaming Board does not address this now, it could lead to a failed system that problem gamblers do not trust.”

Presque Isle Downs kept the money that the gambler had won. There are over fifty other cases of people who were on the self-exclusion list winning jackpots and then having the casinos confiscate their winnings.

The situation has some weary of the casinos’ motives to the point where they feel the casinos may be ignoring the list for the purpose of making more money. No evidence has been found to back that claim, but still there are some skeptics.

“These casinos make their money from gamblers who come back again and again,” said Mary Williams. “Who is to say that they are not allowing these problem gamblers in to keep revenue up. I mean, they allow the gambler to play at the casino, and when they win, the casinos keep the money.”