Two Pennsylvania casinos received fines totaling $160,000 for various offenses this week.

The fines were approved by the Commonwealth’s Gaming Control Board at a public meeting of consent agreements between the agency’s Office of Enforcement Counsel and the two casino’s operators.

According to the official press release…

The $80,000 fine levied against Washington Trotting Association, Inc., operator of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino (pictured) resulted from unauthorized employees at the Washington County venue issuing more than $830,000 worth of complimentary services during a period spanning approximately eight years, from 2009 to 2017.

Licensed facilities in Pennsylvania are required to have a predetermined group of employees who have been authorized to award complimentary services, as well as a set amount to be authorized. These authorizations fall within the facility’s Board-approved internal controls.

Two fines totaling $80,000 were issued to Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, L.P., operator of the Valley Forge Casino Resort.

A $50,000 fine was issued to the Montgomery County casino resulting from:

  • Failure to safeguard its revenues and assets
  • Failure to maintain reliable and accurate financial records, including ensuring access, record and compare its assets, conducting regular audits and ensuring segregation of audit functions and responsibilities.

The issues listed made themselves known via a scheme carried out by an employee of the casino to fraudulently collect reimbursements related to work. As a result of the action, criminal charges were filed against the employee.

The lesser fine of $30,000 resulted from the casino’s non-compliance of its Board-approved guidelines and rules for the play of Spanish 21, a variation of blackjack.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will meet next on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at 10am.

                                        

In other gambling news in the Keystone State, the Pennsylvania Lottery has debuted two virtual sports games, Xpress Football and Xpress Car Racing, which give players the chance to win up to $250 in cash for accurately predicting the outcome of random computerized draws.

The launch comes on the heels of the state’s Lottery adding keno to its offering in May.