Stricter Punishment For Minors Left Unattended At Casinos

After six incidents this summer with parents leaving their children unattended at the Parx Casino and Racetrack lawmakers say that increased security is not enough.

The casino was warned that they need to be more proactive in preventing these dangerous conditions, however Parx officials said that patrolling the parking lot, banning offenders from gambling and working with local police is all they can do, leading two Senators to propose stricter laws.

Pennsylvania Senator Robert Tomlinson and state Representative Gene DiGirolamo are co-sponsoring a bill being presented to both cabinets that will make these crimes a third degree felony instead of a misdemeanor which under the proposed bill would be punishable by a 3 ½ to 7 year jail sentence and fine of up to $15,000.

Lawmakers are hoping that stricter laws will help put an end to the problem.

“While we cannot legislate proper parenting, we can put tough laws on the books to provide serious punishments for those who are willing to put their children in harm’s way.” commented DiGiralamo.