Nevada’s gambling regulators have called out Penn Entertainment for its lackluster response to serious player protection issues. The company’s executives were criticized during a recent meeting for incidents such as underage gambling, allowing self-excluded patrons to play, and a slow response in updating their practices to address these issues.
The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) and Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) expressed their concerns during a routine meeting, with Commissioner Abi Silver noting that she had never seen so many violations in a single report. NGC Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey pointed out that Penn’s transgressions have been ongoing since 2020, with little progress made despite previous warnings from regulators.
Chris Soriano, Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President of Penn Entertainment, confirmed plans to update policies at an upcoming compliance meeting. However, Solis-Rainey questioned why it was taking so long, especially since NGCB Chair Kirk Hendrick had instructed the company to make changes earlier.
Penn Entertainment operates 43 casinos in 20 US states, including properties in Nevada such as Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino and M Resort Spa Casino. Soriano attributed the delay in updating policies to the need for outside counsel in the review process and a thorough assessment of the business to ensure comprehensive policies are put in place.
Solis-Rainey also raised concerns about the effectiveness of temporary measures implemented by Penn to prevent further violations. Soriano cited the challenge of dealing with different regulations in 20 states as a reason for ongoing issues. Temporary measures included improving communication with general managers and holding frequent meetings to address any flagged issues.
However, Solis-Rainey was not satisfied with the response, stating that some issues should be easily avoidable and that each property should undergo its own review process. A follow-up meeting with regulators is scheduled for September to assess the company’s progress in addressing player protection concerns.