A bill before the Pennsylvania sate House Gaming Oversight Committee would increase the penalties for underage gambling in any of the state’s casinos.
House Bill 657, sponsored by state Rep. Thomas Murt, a Republican from a district just north of Philadelphia, increases the fines from their current $200-$1,000 (in addition to the confiscation of winnings). Second offenses currently can result in a $500-$1,500 fine and up to 40 hours of community service.
“My legislation will increase these penalties and differentiate between a young person being on the casino floor and a young person wagering, or attempting to wager on a game on the casino floor,” Murt wrote in a memo outlining the intent of his bill, which has three co-sponsors.
“Gambling among young adults is currently at a high level,” said Murt’s memo. “Studies have shown that young people age 18-21 are three times more likely than other groups to have gambling problems. Much of the research indicates that young people are not only gambling at a higher rate than adults, but are also at greater risk of developing serious gambling problems. While the motivations for gambling tend to be diverse, they are most frequently expressed in terms of a desire to make money or for enjoyment.”
Under Murt’s bill, fines would be the following for even being on the casino floor if under age 21:
- First offense: fine up to $250
- Second offense: fine up to $500 and not less than 20 hours of community service
- Third offense: fine up to $1,000 and not less than 50 hours of community service
For wagering or attempting to wager if under 21:
- First offense: fine up to $500
- Second offense: fine up to $1,000 and not less than 40 hours of community service
- Third offense: fine up to $2,000 and not less than 100 hours of community service
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board already puts underage gamblers on a casino exclusion list, but Murt’s bill would codify that into law. For entering a casino, an underage customer could see a minimum of six months to two years on the state’s exclusion list (commencing when they turn 21). For wagering or attempting to wager, it would be a minimum of one year for a first offense, minimum two years for a second offense, and a minimum of five years for a third offense.
Under the bill, a court could order the underage individual to a counseling or treatment program for problem gambling. Upon successful completion, the underage gambling would be expunged from the person’s record.
