Key Moments:
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has imposed a $30,000 fine on Valley Forge Casino Resort following an incident involving a 13-year-old gambling on slot machines.
- The underage visitor spent more than three hours wagering $1,640 across five slot machines, using cash and gaming vouchers supplied by his father.
- Boyd Gaming, Valley Forge’s parent company, reported a cyberattack the day before the fine was publicized, though company operations were not affected.
Regulator Enforces $30,000 Fine After Minor Gambles in Casino
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) fined Valley Forge Casino Resort $30,000 after discovering that a 13-year-old spent hours gambling. TThe PGCB announced the fine in a press release, linked to an incident from November 2024. During that event, the minor and his father remained on the casino floor from 1:47 PM to 7:50 PM, with the boy’s presence facilitated by the use of a legitimate ID belonging to his father, who was born in 1992.
Details of the Incident
Reports show the boy stayed with his father, who gave him $600 in cash and over $1,000 in vouchers. Over the course of more than three hours, he wagered a total of $1,640 across five slot machines. Beverage staff served him two sodas and a beer without checking ID. Investigators found no evidence he drank the beer.
| Time in Casino | Total Amount Gambled | Number of Slot Machines Used | Drinks Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 6 hours (1:47 PM – 7:50 PM) | $1,640 | 5 | 2 sodas, 1 beer |
Under Pennsylvania law, gambling and presence on the casino floor is prohibited for anyone under 21.
Consequences and Compliance Measures
The following day, the father and son attempted to reenter the casino but were refused. Casino staff, upon investigation, confirmed that underage gambling had occurred. Authorities were promptly notified, resulting in both individuals being removed from the casino. The father received a citation for “aiding and abetting,” while the son faced charges related to underage gambling and unauthorized entry.
Valley Forge Casino responded by issuing warnings to the security and beverage personnel involved, mandating refresher training for security staff, and introducing new procedures designed to prevent similar regulatory breaches going forward.
Parent Company Boyd Gaming Reports Cybersecurity Breach
The regulatory fine announcement closely followed a disclosure by Boyd Gaming Corp. to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, revealing that an unauthorized party had breached the company’s internal IT infrastructure and extracted sensitive employee information. According to Boyd Gaming, no property operations were disrupted, and the company expects no significant adverse financial effects from the incident.
The company’s cybersecurity insurance is anticipated to address expenses stemming from incident response, forensic analysis, potential business disruptions, legal matters, or regulatory costs, in line with the applicable insurance limits and deductibles.
Industry Faces Ongoing Cybersecurity Challenges
This cybersecurity event mirrors issues encountered by other gaming industry players. Last month, Bragg Gaming Group confirmed a similar attack that left operations and finances intact. Additional incidents reportedly affected Ainsworth and IGT in 2024. Furthermore, MGM Resorts International experienced a cyberattack in September 2023, which resulted in an estimated $100 million loss.
- Author
Daniel Williams
