At its September 2025 meeting, the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB) took action against one of the more notable instances of underage gambling in recent years.
Regulators announced that they approved a consent agreement imposing a $30,000 fine on the operator of Valley Forge Casino Resort. Boyd Gaming owns the popular casino located outside Philadelphia.
Regulators said a 13-year-old gained entry to the casino’s gambling floor in November 2024 and gambled on various slot machines for more than six hours before being caught.
PA Slot Machine Age Rules
Under Pennsylvania law, a slot machine licensee must post signs stating the legal age is 21.
The PA underage gambling signage must be similar to the following:
‘‘It is unlawful for any individual under 21 years of age to enter or remain in any area where slot machines or table games are operated. It is unlawful for any individual under the age of 21 to wager, play or attempt to play a slot machine or table game. Individuals violating this prohibition will be removed and may be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.’’
The signs must be prominently posted within 50 feet of each entrance and exit of the floor.
Involuntary Exclusion List Additions
The PA Gaming Control Board did more than address underage gambling at its September 2025 hearing.
The Board also voted to place 12 individuals on its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists, which prohibit the individuals from gambling in Pennsylvania. With the additions, 1,422 people were on the state’s exclusion lists.
Of the 12 cases, three were tied to adults leaving children unattended while they gambled:
- A female patron left two children (ages 3 and 9) in a vehicle in the Wind Creek Bethlehem parking lot while playing slots.
- A male and female patron jointly left two 8-year-old children in a vehicle at Presque Isle Downs & Casino for 29 minutes while they gambled in the sportsbook.
Pennsylvania has long been one of the most aggressive casino states when it comes to enforcing laws against leaving children unattended at casinos. Many of the 1,400+ involuntarily excluded players had left kids unattended.
In addition, two were placed on the Involuntary Interactive Gaming Exclusion List for fraudulent acts tied to online gambling.
Placement bars them from accessing PGCB-regulated online gambling platforms.
The stakes are high in the Keystone State, as Pennsylvania is among the largest online casino markets in the U.S. The number of people on the state’s voluntary self-exclusion list has risen sharply in recent years.
Legal Age for Gambling in PA
Legal ages vary to address PA underage gambling:
- Casinos, sportsbooks, online casinos, betting apps: 21+
- Lottery (retail and online): 18+
- Horse-race wagering: 18+
- Video gaming terminals: 21+
- Daily fantasy sports: 18+ (21+ if offered inside a casino)
State law bars minors from casino gambling floors except for certain employees.
Violators of the state’s gambling age laws risk fines up to $1,500 and court-ordered community service. Underage gamblers are not entitled to any money they won while gambling.
If you’re underage or struggling, don’t gamble — call 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential help.
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