Any one carry at the rivers casino ?

[Glock23Guy]

Just like the title says, has any one carried at the new rivers casino ?

[mjf]

Just like the title says, has any one carried at the new rivers casino ?

You're not supposed to.

http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/files/re...ons_Master.pdf

§ 465a.13. Possession of weapons within a licensed facility.
(a) Individuals, including security department personnel, are prohibited from possessing
any deadly weapon as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2301 (relating to definitions), stun gun or other
device designed to injure or incapacitate a person within a licensed facility without the express
written approval of the Board.
(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) Pennsylvania State Police assigned to its Gaming Enforcement Office.
(2) An on-duty officer or agent of any local, State or Federal law enforcement
agency when the officer or agent is acting in an official capacity.
(c) To obtain approval for the possession of a deadly weapon, stun gun or other device
designed to injure or incapacitate a person within a licensed facility, an individual shall be
required to submit a written request to the Board which includes:
(1) An explanation of the compelling need for the possession of the deadly
weapon, stun gun or device designed to injure or incapacitate a person within the licensed
facility.
227
(2) If the request is for possession of a firearm as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105
(relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms), proof that
the individual holds a valid license to possess the firearm.
(d) A slot machine licensee shall post in a conspicuous location at each entrance to the
licensed facility signs that may be easily read stating the following:
The possession of a deadly weapon, stun gun or other device designed to injure or
incapacitate a person by any person within this licensed facility without the express written
permission of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is prohibited.

Now, apparently this is more of a regulation for the casino to follow. For example, if the casino were to not kick out OCers they could lose their gaming license. The gaming control board seems to lack statutory rulemaking authority, as the DNCR has, for example. So, I don't think you can be charged with a "carrying a firearm in a casino" summery offense, though trespassing is always an issue. Carrying a firearm is not criminalized in 4 Pa.C.S.A. § 1518 ( Prohibited acts; penalties).

Apparently the gaming control board can impose whatever regulations it wises for the licensing of "slot parlors." That said, they could change their regulations to include, "only fat persons with cheeseburgers on their person may enter the slot parlor." Or more annoyingly, "casinos must operate a metal detector, with provided security personnel, at all entrances to the slot parlor during all hours of public operation."

And now, for everyone's edification, all criminal offenses related to casinos:

§ 1518. Prohibited acts; penalties

(a) Criminal offenses.--

(1) The provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4902 (relating to perjury), 4903 (relating to false swearing) or 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities) shall apply to any person providing information or making any statement, whether written or oral, to the board, the bureau, the department, the Pennsylvania State Police or the Office of Attorney General, as required by this part.

(2) It shall be unlawful for a person to willfully:

(i) fail to report, pay or truthfully account for and pay over any license fee, tax or assessment imposed under this part; or

(ii) attempt in any manner to evade or defeat any license fee, tax or assessment imposed under this part.

(3) It shall be unlawful for any licensed entity, gaming employee, key employee or any other person to permit a slot machine to be operated, transported, repaired or opened on the premises of a licensed facility by a person other than a person licensed or permitted by the board pursuant to this part.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any licensed entity or other person to manufacture, supply or place slot machines into play or display slot machines on the premise of a licensed facility without the authority of the board.

(5) Except as provided for in section 1326 (relating to license renewals), it shall be unlawful for a licensed entity or other person to manufacture, supply, operate, carry on or expose for play any slot machine after the person's license has expired and prior to the actual renewal of the license.


(6) (i) Except as set forth in subparagraph (ii), it shall be unlawful for an individual while on the premises of a licensed facility to knowingly use currency other than lawful coin or legal tender of the United States or a coin not of the same denomination as the coin intended to be used in the slot machine with the intent to cheat or defraud a licensed gaming entity or the Commonwealth or damage the slot machine.

(ii) In the playing of a slot machine, it shall be lawful for an individual to use gaming billets, tokens or similar objects issued by the licensed gaming entity which are approved by the board.


(7) (i) Except as set forth in subparagraph (ii), it shall be unlawful for an individual to use or possess a cheating or thieving device, counterfeit or altered billet, ticket, token or similar objects accepted by a slot machine or counterfeit or altered slot machine-issued tickets or vouchers at a licensed facility.

(ii) An authorized employee of a licensee or an employee of the board may possess and use a cheating or thieving device, counterfeit or altered billet, ticket, token or similar objects accepted by a slot machine or counterfeit or altered slot machine-issued tickets or vouchers in performance of the duties of employment.

(iii) As used in this paragraph, the term "cheating or thieving device" includes, but is not limited to, a device to facilitate the alignment of any winning combination or to remove from any slot machine money or other contents. The term includes, but is not limited to, a tool, drill, wire, coin or token attached to a string or wire and any electronic or magnetic device.

(8) (i) Except as set forth in subparagraph (ii), it shall be unlawful for an individual to knowingly possess or use while on the premises of a licensed facility a key or device designed for the purpose of and suitable for opening or entering any slot machine or coin box which is located on the premises of the licensed facility.

(ii) An authorized employee of a licensee or a member of the board may possess and use a device referred to in subparagraph (i) in the performance of the duties of employment.

(9) It shall be unlawful for a person or licensed entity to possess any device, equipment or material which the person or licensed entity knows has been manufactured, distributed, sold, tampered with or serviced in violation of the provisions of this part with the intent to use the device, equipment or material as though it had been manufactured, distributed, sold, tampered with or serviced pursuant to this part.

(9.1) It shall be unlawful for a person to sell, offer for sale, represent or pass off as lawful any device, equipment or material which the person or licensed entity knows has been manufactured, distributed, sold, tampered with or serviced in violation of this part.

(10) It shall be unlawful for an individual to work or be employed in a position the duties of which would require licensing or permitting under the provisions of this part without first obtaining the requisite license or permit issued under the provisions of this part.

(11) It shall be unlawful for a licensed gaming entity that is a licensed racing entity and that has lost the license issued to it by either the State Horse Racing Commission or the State Harness Racing Commission under the Race Horse Industry Reform Act or that has had that license suspended to operate slot machines at the racetrack for which its slot machine license was issued unless the license issued to it by either the State Horse Racing Commission or the State Harness Racing Commission will be subsequently reissued or reinstated within 30 days after the loss or suspension.

(12) It shall be unlawful for a licensed entity to employ or continue to employ an individual in a position the duties of which require a license or permit under the provisions of this part if the individual:

(i) Is not licensed or permitted under the provisions of this part.

(ii) Is prohibited from accepting employment from a licensee.

(13) It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to be permitted in the area of a licensed facility where slot machines are operated.


(b) Criminal penalties and fines.--


(1) (i) A person that commits a first offense in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4902, 4903 or 4904 in connection with providing information or making any statement, whether written or oral, to the board, the bureau, the department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of Attorney General or a district attorney as required by this part commits an offense to be graded in accordance with the applicable section violated. A person that is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4902, 4903 or 4904 in connection with providing information or making any statement, whether written or oral, to the board, the bureau, the department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of Attorney General or a district attorney as required by this part commits a felony of the second degree.

(ii) A person that violates subsection (a)(2) through (12) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. A person that is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (a)(2) through (12) commits a felony of the second degree.


(2) (i) For a first violation of subsection (a)(1) through (12), a person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of:

(A) not less than $75,000 nor more than $150,000 if the person is an individual;

(B) not less than $300,000 nor more than $600,000 if the person is a licensed gaming entity; or

(C) not less than $150,000 nor more than $300,000 if the person is a licensed manufacturer or supplier.

(ii) For a second or subsequent violation of subsection (a)(1) through (12), a person shall be sentenced to pay a fine of:

(A) not less than $150,000 nor more than $300,000 if the person is an individual;

(B) not less than $600,000 nor more than $1,200,000 if the person is a licensed gaming entity; or

(C) not less than $300,000 nor more than $600,000 if the person is a licensed manufacturer or supplier.


(c) Board-imposed administrative sanctions.--

(1) In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, the board may impose without limitation the following sanctions upon any licensee or permittee:

(i) Revoke the license or permit of any person convicted of a criminal offense under this part or regulations promulgated under this part or committing any other offense or violation of this part or applicable law which would otherwise disqualify such person from holding the license or permit.

(ii) Revoke the license or permit of any person determined to have violated a provision of this part or regulations promulgated under this part which would otherwise disqualify such person from holding the license or permit.

(iii) Revoke the license or permit of any person for willfully and knowingly violating or attempting to violate an order of the board directed to such person.

(iv) Suspend the license or permit of any person pending the outcome of a hearing in any case in which license or permit revocation could result.

(v) Suspend the license of any licensed gaming entity for violation of or attempting to violate any provisions of this part or regulations promulgated under this part relating to its slot machine operations.

(vi) Assess administrative penalties as necessary to punish misconduct and to deter future violations.

(vii) Order restitution of any moneys or property unlawfully obtained or retained by a licensee or permittee.

(viii) Enter cease and desist orders which specify the conduct which is to be discontinued, altered or implemented by the licensee or permittee.

(ix) Issue letters of reprimand or censure, which letters shall be made a permanent part of the file of each licensee or permittee so sanctioned.

(2) If the board refuses to issue or renew a license or permit, suspends or revokes a license or permit, assesses civil penalties, orders restitution, enters a cease and desist order or issues a letter of reprimand or censure, it shall provide the applicant or licensee or permittee with written notification of its decision, including a statement of the reasons for its decision by certified mail within five business days of the decision of the board. The applicant, licensee or permittee shall have the right to appeal the decision in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) and 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action).

(3) In addition to any other fines or penalties that the board may impose under this part or regulation, if a person violates subsection (a)(2), the board shall impose an administrative penalty of three times the amount of the license fee, tax or other assessment evaded and not paid, collected or paid over. This subsection is subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. A and 7 Subch. A.

[JCWohlschlag]

The gaming control board seems to lack statutory rulemaking authority, as the DNCR has, for example.

From what I can find, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board absolutely does have statutory authority to promulgate regulations, as found here.

• Title 58 Pa. Code. Recreation
  
  • Part VII. Gaming Control Board
    
    • Subpart E. Slot Machines and Associated Equipment
      
      • Chapter 465a. Accounting and Internal Controls

Authority

The provisions of this Chapter 465a issued under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1202(b)(30), 1207, 1322 and 1520, unless otherwise noted.

From that list of statutes, 4 Pa.C.S. §1202(b)(30) seems to be the one that is authoritative over the prohibition on firearms.

4 Pa.C.S. § 1202

• Title 4 Pa.C.S. Amusements
  
  • Part II. Gaming
    
    • Chapter 12. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
      
      • § 1202. General and specific powers

…

(b) Specific powers.--The board shall have the specific power and duty:

…

(30) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration and enforcement of this part, including regulations in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and regulations relating to the sale and service of liquor and malt and brewed beverages by licensees. Except as provided in section 1203 (relating to temporary regulations), regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L. 769, No. 240), [45 P.S. § 1102 et seq.] referred to as the Commonwealth Documents Law, and the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L. 633, No. 181), [71 P.S. § 745.1 et seq.] known as the Regulatory Review Act.

[evilash]

I don't know about you guys, but I would not go to this casino unarmed... the sheer amount of beggers and muggers outside has really turned our nice town of pittsburgh into a scum city.

http://kdka.com/video/?id=61471@kdka.dayport.com

and that is just the part that has been released to the media... I went down once, and I will just make the 30 minute drive to washington PA if I have the urge to give my money away... (and no not at the casino, at Ace)

[marinville]

the sheer amount of beggers and muggers outside [the rivers casino] has really turned our nice town of pittsburgh into a scum city.

snip

oh, ok.




10

[mjf]

From what I can find, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board absolutely does have statutory authority to promulgate regulations, as found here.

• Title 58 Pa. Code. Recreation
  
  • Part VII. Gaming Control Board
    
    • Subpart E. Slot Machines and Associated Equipment
      
      • Chapter 465a. Accounting and Internal Controls

Authority

The provisions of this Chapter 465a issued under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1202(b)(30), 1207, 1322 and 1520, unless otherwise noted.

From that list of statutes, 4 Pa.C.S. §1202(b)(30) seems to be the one that is authoritative over the prohibition on firearms.

4 Pa.C.S. § 1202

• Title 4 Pa.C.S. Amusements
  
  • Part II. Gaming
    
    • Chapter 12. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
      
      • § 1202. General and specific powers

…

(b) Specific powers.--The board shall have the specific power and duty:

…

(30) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration and enforcement of this part, including regulations in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and regulations relating to the sale and service of liquor and malt and brewed beverages by licensees. Except as provided in section 1203 (relating to temporary regulations), regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L. 769, No. 240), [45 P.S. § 1102 et seq.] referred to as the Commonwealth Documents Law, and the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L. 633, No. 181), [71 P.S. § 745.1 et seq.] known as the Regulatory Review Act.

Right, but I wonder if that language is enough for the board to create summery offenses on a license holder's property (I don't think it is at all). Further, I have yet to find a defined criminal penalty for their regulations, anywhere. The Commonwealth has, however, defined criminal offenses in § 1518, but it doesn't include language relating to the board's regulations.

[donm]

Why go to a casino in the first place? If I have surplus cash to "waste," I drop it on guns, ammo, or my motorcycle.