This is a test server Warning: fopen(c:\Inetpub\wwwroot\_prlogs\PR_request_IP_LOG.txt): failed to open stream: Permission denied in C:\inetpub\wwwroot\content.php on line 84 Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in C:\inetpub\wwwroot\content.php on line 95 Warning: fclose() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in C:\inetpub\wwwroot\content.php on line 96 PGCB Approves Six Enforcement Actions - Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
{HIDESEARCH}
Latest Press Releases
{/HIDESEARCH}
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3rd, 2007

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
P.O. Box 69060
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060

CONTACT

Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey (717) 346-8321

PGCB Approves Six Enforcement Actions

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today approved six enforcement actions at its public meeting. The actions involved five individuals and one casino:

  • Stephen J. Goda, was denied a gaming employee registration at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack due to multiple felony convictions.
  • Meghan L. Keough was denied a non-gaming employee registration at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack for not disclosing six arrests.
  • Charisse Kamil Hendley’s gaming employee permit at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack was suspended for a period of six months for failure to disclose an arrest.
  • Linda A. Gardner entered into a consent agreement with the PGCB to surrender her gaming permit at Presque Isle Downs and Casino due to a non-disclosure of an arrest.
  • Joseph A. Rizzo entered into a settlement agreement with the PGCB to suspend his gaming permit from Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack for one year from the date of his application for failure to disclose three arrests.
  • Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs entered into a consent agreement with the PGCB after an underage incident. Downs Racing agreed to institute policies and provide its employees with guidance that will minimize the opportunity for underage individuals to enter the gaming floor and gamble. Downs Racing will pay $1,744.99 to cover the cost of the investigation.

Under its duty to protect the public through the regulation and policing of all activities involving gaming, the Board acts to take enforcement action after the Office of Enforcement Counsel investigated any matters involving either transgressions of the law or the Gaming Act, leading to complaints being filed against the individuals.

Board regulations require that notice be given to those individuals and organization, who then had the opportunity to respond.

In addition to these enforcement actions, the Board can also seek an emergency suspension of any license for an individual when certain events require immediate action, and when traditional notice and hearing procedures may not be speedy enough to ensure the public’s protection. In those cases, the Executive Director may temporarily suspend a license until hearings can be held.

In another matter at today’s meeting, the Board received testimony regarding the sale of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. which includes Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack. Under Pennsylvania’s Gaming Law, the Board must approve any change in ownership or control of a slot machine licensee. Overall, the Harrah’s sale is valued at $30 billion and would be the 7th largest buyout in U.S. History. The Board is expected to rule on this matter at a future public meeting.

For more information about the PA Gaming Control Board visit our website at http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

# # #