Regulatory Authority Imposes Penalties on Betfair for Licensing Infractions, Sugarhouse for Underage Gambling Transgressions
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently held a public meeting in Harrisburg, where it approved two enforcement actions against gaming operators for various violations.
Betfair Interactive US LLC, the operator of the sportsbook and iGaming services, was fined $40,000 for failing to license several employees as required by PGCB regulations. According to the Board, these employees held significant influence over business decisions related to the gaming operations. The PGCB emphasized the importance of full regulatory compliance by all licensees but did not release detailed information about the exact number of unlicensed employees or their specific roles.
Two separate incidents at Rivers Casino Philadelphia, operated by Sugarhouse HSP Gaming LP, allowed individuals under 21 years old to access the gaming floor and gamble. As a result, the casino operator was fined $30,000 for these incidents.
The PGCB continues to promote its "Don't Gamble with Kids" campaign, stressing the need for land-based operators to maintain strict supervision and security protocols to prevent underage gambling.
In addition to the fines, the PGCB approved the placement of seven individuals on its Involuntary Exclusion Lists. Two others were placed on the interactive gaming exclusion list for fraudulent actions involving online gambling. The total number of barred individuals statewide is now 1,411.
This enforcement action follows a similar crackdown earlier this month, when 15 individuals were banned by the PGCB, many for child endangerment violations. Notably, a female patron left two minors, ages 8 and 9, unattended in a hotel room at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows for over seven hours while gambling at table games.
The PGCB did not disclose specifics about the patrons or outcomes of the underage gambling incidents at Rivers Casino Philadelphia. The Board has repeatedly stressed the need for operators to ensure strict supervision and security protocols to prevent such incidents.
The next public meeting of the PGCB is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 20, 2025, at the Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg.
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) emphasized the importance of responsible gambling, particularly in the casino-and-gambling industry, following two enforcement actions against gaming operators.
- The PGCB's "Don't Gamble with Kids" campaign aims to prevent underage gambling, a concern recently raised in two separate incidents at Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
- Increasing scrutiny on the casino-games sector is evident as the PGCB approved the placement of several individuals on exclusion lists for various violations, including fraudulent actions in casino-games and lotteries.
- The PGCB's efforts to ensure a safe and fair casino-and-gambling environment extend beyond fines, with a focus on emphasizing the risk of crime-and-justice incidents associated with non-compliance.
