PA Gaming Control Board Issues Fines to MGM Resorts and CountR GmbH in September 2026 Session
Pennsylvania’s regulator fined MGM Resorts International and CountR GmbH for licensing violations, and placed 10 individuals on state exclusion lists at its September meeting.
Key Takeaways
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fined MGM Resorts International $50,250 for late filing of a Principal Licensing application.
- CountR GmbH received a $50,000 penalty for an unapproved change of control and unpaid licensing fees.
- Ten individuals were placed on Involuntary Exclusion Lists, bringing the total to 1,507.
- Exclusion actions included a case where an adult left a minor unattended at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino.
- The Board continues its public safety initiative with the 'Don’t Gamble with Kids' campaign.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) approved two consent agreements at its September 2026 public meeting, imposing fines on MGM Resorts International and CountR GmbH for regulatory breaches, and expanded its Involuntary Exclusion Lists with the addition of 10 individuals. These actions reinforce the Board’s ongoing oversight of licensing and player safeguarding across Pennsylvania’s regulated gambling sector.
Regulatory Fines for Licensing Violations
The PGCB’s Office of Enforcement Counsel introduced two consent agreements resulting in monetary penalties for licensing violations by licensed entities. MGM Resorts International was fined $50,250 for failing to submit a required Principal Licensing application in a timely manner. This application is mandatory for individuals in key controlling positions within regulated firms and must be filed under Pennsylvania’s gaming regulations.
In a separate matter, CountR GmbH, a German-based gaming technology supplier, faced Board action for implementing an unapproved change of control and failing to pay required licensing fees. Under the terms of its consent agreement, CountR GmbH agreed to pay $50,000 to settle the unpaid license. Both cases underscore the PGCB’s policy of enforcing compliance among both domestic and international licensees operating in Pennsylvania’s casino sector.
Involuntary Exclusion Lists Expanded
The Board also took action to add 10 individuals to its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists, which prohibit listed persons from all land-based casinos, online betting platforms regulated by the Board, and Video Gaming Terminal (VGT) locations across the Commonwealth. With these additions, the total number of individuals on such lists now stands at 1,507.
The placements followed presentations from the Board’s Office of Chief Counsel and the Office of Enforcement Counsel. One of the newly excluded adults left a five-year-old unattended in the Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino parking garage for 36 minutes while playing slot machines. The Board reiterated that leaving minors unattended at any part of a casino property—including parking areas, hotels, or similar venues—constitutes grounds for statewide gambling exclusion and poses safety risks to children.
“Don’t Gamble with Kids” Awareness Campaign
The PGCB highlighted its ongoing “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign, intended to support casinos in deterring adults from leaving minors unattended. The campaign provides educational materials and public reminders about the legal and safety consequences of such conduct. Full details are accessible at DontGamblewithKids.org.
Exclusion Process and Criteria
The Involuntary Exclusion List includes both individuals found violating Pennsylvania gaming laws and those deemed to present potential risks to casino security or integrity. Placement restricts access to all regulated gambling options in the state:
- Land-based casinos
- Regulated online betting sites
- Video Gaming Terminal establishments
Individuals can apply for removal but must meet Board-defined conditions and timeframes.
“Actions such as this to deny statewide gambling privileges serve as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended in the parking lot or garage, a hotel, or other venues at a casino since it creates a potentially unsafe and dangerous environment for children.” — Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Official Statement)
Next Public Meeting and Access to Consent Agreements
The PGCB is scheduled to reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Meetings are held in the Public Hearing Room on the second floor of the Strawberry Square Complex, Harrisburg. The full agenda and public documents, including approved consent agreements and exclusion details, will be posted in advance on the Board’s website.
For further regulatory updates and background on similar enforcement actions, refer to official press releases from the Board’s Office of Communications and enforcement records published on the PGCB platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What violations led to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fines for MGM Resorts International and CountR GmbH?
MGM Resorts International was fined $50,250 for not submitting a Principal Licensing application on time, while CountR GmbH was fined $50,000 for an unapproved change of control and non-payment of required licensing fees, as approved in the Board’s September 2026 consent agreements.
How many people are now on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Involuntary Exclusion Lists?
With the addition of 10 more individuals at the September 2026 meeting, the total number of persons barred by the Board has reached 1,507.
What does being on an Involuntary Exclusion List in Pennsylvania mean?
Individuals listed are banned from all Pennsylvania casinos, regulated online betting sites, and Video Gaming Terminal venues under the Board’s jurisdiction, restricting their access to all legal forms of gambling in the state.
What incident prompted a recent exclusion at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino?
One adult was placed on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion List for leaving a five-year-old unattended in the parking garage for 36 minutes while gambling on slot machines, which is grounds for exclusion according to Board policy.
When is the next scheduled public meeting of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board?
The next PGCB public meeting is set for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Strawberry Square Complex in Harrisburg.
Tags
About the author
Eleanor Whitfield
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Eleanor Whitfield tracks gambling legislation, licensing decisions, and regulator enforcement across key markets — from the UKGC, MGA, and Germany's GGL to Spain's DGOJ and the state-by-state map in the Americas. The reporting answers three questions precisely: what changed, where, and who it affects, with jurisdictions, effective dates, and penalty figures named exactly as published. Compliance officers and operators read Eleanor Whitfield to know which rulebook moved before their next board meeting.
More from Eleanor Whitfield
