A Pennsylvania woman who embezzled public funds to gamble on DraftKings received a prison sentence on Sept. 16, 2025.
Ben Haupt, chair of the Gregg Township Board of Supervisors, told Gambling Harm that Pamela Hackenburg, the 56-year-old former secretary of the rural PA township, received 2-4 years in state prison. She must also pay restitution.
Hackenburg pleaded guilty in July 2025 to theft, identity theft, and access device fraud. She faced years in prison on the felony charges.
Prosecutors said Hackenburg stole $533,000 in public funds from 2019 to 2024.
“She couldn’t quit” gambling, Haupt said, adding that about 8-10 people from the community made comments at Hackenburg’s sentencing hearing.
“She made a mess for us,” he added. “Everyone is capable of repentance. I hope she addresses her gambling addiction.”
Haupt said Hackenburg expressed remorse at her sentencing.
Gambling on DraftKings Pennsylvania
Hackenburg used township credit cards to gamble on DraftKings, one of Pennsylvania’s licensed online gambling platforms.
DraftKings offers online sports betting and online slots in the Keystone State. It’s unclear which games Hackenburg had played on DraftKings.
Records obtained by Spotlight PA showed her transactions on DraftKings totaled $322,185.
Hackenburg made hundreds of deposits into DraftKings over many months.
In one nine-day spree, “Hackenburg allegedly made 73 payments for DraftKings totaling $7,040, according to Spotlight PA’s analysis. In the next billing cycle, 109 payments totaled $10,400. The next month, 80 payments totaled $10,270.”
The losses quickly added up, with Hackenburg very rarely withdrawing money from DraftKings.
What’s Next in Hackenburg Case
The case related to DraftKings Pennsylvania, which resulted in prison for Hackenburg, has taken its toll on the community.
The township is awaiting a decision regarding how much of the losses its bond insurance policy will cover, Haupt told Gambling Harm.
He said the township has been “struggling financially” because of the embezzlement.
“We were able to keep all our employees,” Haupt said. “However, we had to put off road projects in the township. We are behind on getting those things accomplished.”
It’s unclear if Pennsylvania gambling regulators will scrutinize DraftKings over the Hackenburg case.
It’s possible the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will add Hackenburg to its list of Pennsylvanians who are barred from gambling.
Haupt told Gambling Harm that the township is considering legal action against DraftKings.
The Hackenburg case was the third high-profile scandal involving DraftKings in Pennsylvania in 2025. In July, DraftKings settled with a Pennsylvania psychiatrist who had lost nearly $200,000 on the platform. In October, a former title agent with a DraftKings gambling problem was sentenced to prison.
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