by KYW's Tony Romeo
Philadelphia Park Casino is facing a complaint about young children getting onto its gaming floor, including allegations that a five-year-old was interacting with a slot machine.
The complaint before the Gaming Control Board alleges that on different occasions last year, three children -- ages two, four, and five -- were on the Philadelphia Park Casino floor with parents or grandparents, which is barred by state gaming law.
Gaming board spokesman Richard McGarvey says the complaint also alleges security personnel were slow to react:
(McGarvey): “Correct. There was a number of minutes that went by where they were actually out on the gaming floor with their parents or grandparents.”
(Romeo): “I guess in one case, one of the children was actually playing the machine?”
(McGarvey): “Certainly, sitting there with the parent or grandparent. Obviously, playing the machine is hard to describe for a child that young, but again, interacting with the machine.”
The gaming board’s staff has proposed a penalty that would require Philadelphia Park to pay $21,000 for an educational program in nearby public schools, but the board last week postponed action on the matter.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
