A casino in Massachusetts has been slapped with a fine by the state’s Gaming Commission, after it was found that the establishment breached minimum security requirements several times. The Plainridge Park Casino will have to cough up $65,000 in penalties for violating the requirements set forth by the Commission on 46 different occasions.
A total of 12 checks were carried out by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, and it was found that security staffing levels at the slots parlor were not not meeting minimum requirements.
According to the executive director of the gambling authority, Ed Bedrosian, it was absolutely imperative that enough security staff be present to keep the public safe and also to monitor issues such as alcohol consumption and underage gambling.
“Security staffing levels are of critical importance because of the security department’s role in ensuring public safety and maintaining the physical security of the casino complex, its employees, guests, property, the prevention of underage gambling, and the monitoring of alcohol consumption,” he said in a statement.
Plainridge Park Casino has said that it will accept all claims brought against it and will not shy away from paying the fine. In addition, the casino will not use its rights for a hearing. Already, some important steps have been taken to rectify the matter, including the training of more security staff so that the casino meets the Gaming Commission’s minimum requirements.
Bedrosian continued in his statement that the casino “fully cooperated” with the state agents during the investigation and was also taking “proactive steps to remedy this matter.”
The casino has a good name in the Massachusetts gaming industry and will do what it takes to maintain this positive trend. The casino earned $174.8 million in bets in its last report, which means that it could count on over $14 million in gross gaming revenues. It was also announced in May that half of the casino hires were previously unemployed or working part-time, showing the positive impact that Plainridge has had on local economies.
Plainridge Park Casino opened its doors in 2015, and is the only gambling facility to open in the state since new gambling expansion legislation was introduced in Massachusetts in 2011. Local gamblers can expect the much awaited MGM Springfield Resort to open next year, followed by the Wynn Boston Harbor Casino in 2019.
