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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 4, 2022 04:58 PM |
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| From: | Senator Jimmy Dillon |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Addressing the Problem of Unattended Minors at Casinos |
| In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation which would require casinos to make reasonable efforts to warn patrons against leaving minors unattended in their vehicle, hotel room, or other locations while using casino facilities. The growth of gaming across the country has led to a corresponding increase in child safety issues, as a higher number of minors are being left alone when their parent or guardian is gambling. Since 2021 there have been more than 400 reported instances involving 669 children being left alone while guardians are in casinos, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. As gaming continues to grow, it is important that we implement mitigation efforts and create responsible minor safety programs within casinos. To be clear, our casinos have generated much-needed revenue for our state and that inherently casinos and their operations are not the problem. These changes are in no way designed to hinder their operations but instead promote healthy behaviors to protect patrons in order to reduce the aforementioned behaviors. Please join me in co-sponsoring these two pieces of legislation. |
Document #1
| Description: | The first bill would require casinos to do take reasonable steps to caution patrons against leaving minors unattended. This will be done through signage, notice upon registration at a lodging facility on the premises, and via pamphlets or brochures. In addition, my bill would require companies to establish policies and procedures in which their employees would need to be trained to identify and respond to unsupervised minors. | |
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Document #2
| Description: | The second bill would attempt to confront these aspects of problem gambling by requiring responsible gaming programs to be offered within a casino. Similar to procedures enacted in Massachusetts, my bill would require each licensee to provide complimentary on-location substance abuse, compulsive gaming, and mental health counseling services. These changes would help further equip staff in identifying problem gaming behaviors. | |
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