Nevada’s gambling regulators have criticized Penn Entertainment for the pace at which it is addressing serious player protection issues. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Not good enough

The two gambling regulators in Nevada aren’t happy with Penn Entertainment’s recent player protection record.

They criticized the casino company’s executives during a meeting on Thursday over recent incidents, including underage people gambling at their properties, letting self-excluded patrons play, and not promptly updating its practices to resolve these issues.

never seen as many violations in a single report

The meeting was scheduled for a routine matter when the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) and Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) members aired their concerns. Commissioner Abi Silver said she has never seen as many violations in a single report.

Too slow

During the meeting, NGC Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey highlighted that Penn’s transgressions have been ongoing since 2020 and regulators previously aired concerns without significant changes taking place.

Responding to the questioning, Penn Entertainment Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President Chris Soriano confirmed his plan to ratify updated policies at an August 15 compliance meeting. This led Solis-Rainey to ask why it is taking so long, given that NGCB Chair Kirk Hendrick told the company to make the changes much earlier.

Penn Entertainment controls 43 casinos in 20 US states, including Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino and M Resort Spa Casino in Nevada.

Soriano attributed the delay to the requirement for outside counsel in the review process and an assessment of all major aspects of the business to “study the issue from the bottom up.” He believes this patient approach will result in “really robust policies.”

Easily avoidable

Solis-Rainey also questioned the effectiveness of temporary measures Penn took to try to halt any more violations, with Soriano saying that the issues exist because Penn has to deal with 20 different regulators, each of which has its own rules.

a better flow of information to general managers and frequent meetings

Some temporary measures that came into place for Penn in recent months include a better flow of information to general managers and frequent meetings if any issues are flagged.

The commissioner wasn’t happy with the response, claiming that some of the frequent issues should be easily avoidable and each property needs its own review.

A follow-up with the regulators will take place in September to consider progress.