PGCB Slaps Casino with Fine over Security Breaches

Hollywood York, a Category 4 casino, has been found in breach of minimum security workforce breaches of the state’s existing gambling law. The property is owned by Penn Entertainment, previously known as Penn National Gaming, and the regulator has now found that for a period of 55 days, the casino had not actually met those requirements.

Security Shortages Considered Serious Flaw by Regulators

According to the PGCB, the casino was short on security staff in 2022, specifically for the period between May through September. Although this information is not publicly available it may be requested by the watchdog’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC).

The enforcement action has resulted in a settlement in which both parties have agreed to the terms and conditions set out by the regulator. The OEC recommended a $78,000 fine because of the security failings and said that $2,500 in administrative costs ought to be paid as well.

A representative for the company, Ruben Warren, who is the general manager, said that the casino had indeed struggled to hire security officers because of the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused widespread labor shortages in the industry and made it much harder to recruit staff when and where necessary.

Penn Entertainment director of compliance Alex Hvizda assured that although the casino was indeed short on security staff, at no point was public safety threatened, which is one of the issues touched upon by the regulation and the OEC during the investigation.

Public Safety Was Never a Concern at Hollywood York

“When you hear we’re short a security staff member or two, I want to assure you that’s not impacting public safety,” Hvizda said. Overall, the casino has kept a very decent floor with security incidents, even during peak hours such as Friday and Saturday nights, being kept to generally one per hour.

The PGCB did not just convene to decide what to do with Hollywood York. Similarly, the regulator continued to target individuals that have been found in serious breaches of casino etiquette and protocols. Five people were banned from entry into casinos in the state, with all five people leaving children unattended so that the culprits could access gaming floors at casinos and play.