Two bills aim to keep Pa. casino gamblers from leaving kids in the car

Parx Casino in Bucks County alone has seen ten cases of parents gambling inside while their children wait in cars in the parking lot. That’s ten too many for State Representative Michael O’Brien of Philadelphia, sponsor of the bills. His father was a compulsive gambler. “I know the anxiety and terror that a child can feel if they’re left alone while their parents go off to gamble,” said O’Brien.  One bill would increase the penalties on offending parents.  “A person who leaves their child in a car would be put on an exclusion list for all of the casinos around the commonwealth,” said O’Brien.The other would require casinos to post signs warning against leaving children behind. O’Brien said he hopes to see house action on the bills before the holidays. Parx Casino has posted signs and increased parking lot security patrols.