Wind Creek Bethlehem has presented a mitigation plan to the Pennsylvania Gaming Board through which it will improve security and make sure that unattended children will not present a problem in the future. According to the casino, it plans to spend around $4 million to become more effective in this sector.
Wind Creek Had Quite a Lot of Incidents Between 2018 and 2021
Doug Harbach, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Board, stated that unattended children have been a problem for the gambling industry in the state ever since casinos opened up in 2006. Of course, the Board is in charge of making sure that casinos meet the standards, hence, this issue caught its attention.
Wind Creek specifically, has had quite a lot of problems in this sector as there were 147 incidents that involved 268 children in just three years – 2018-2021. Between April 2021 and April 2022, there were another 43 incidents.
The plan, which Wind Creek presented to the Board in May, covered a few points that will allow the resort to deal with the issue at hand in a more effective way. First, it will use more signs and displays which will remind customers not to leave their kids alone. Hotel attendees will also have a key jacket reminder.
Next, employee training will be improved and a new policy will be introduced. The new policy will be mentioned to all customers checking in at the hotel. Outside security will also be utilized as Wind Creek will hire Allied Universal, a security firm, to patrol the food court, outlet mall and parking areas.
In a statement, Wind Creek noted that the resort has taken unaccompanied minors “very seriously” since it opened. Moreover, the casino added that there’s a zero-tolerance policy “for those who leave children unattended.”
Wind Creek Bethlehem Has Other Problems as Well
On Tuesday (June 7), a man was charged with 63 third-degree felonies. Per court papers, some of the felonies include identity theft, device fraud and theft. The 35-year-old Pottsville resident used rewards cards from more than 26 people to steal credits worth more than $2,500 and win upwards of $1,600 on slot machines at Wind Creek.
Police stated that casino surveillance did a three-day search of the activities of the suspect and according to footage, the man used cards belonging to other patrons 147 times. Two patrons were on the worst end of the scam as one was hit for $1,804 and the other one for $529 in credits.
Wind Creek reimbursed the victims. Authorities tried to get in touch with the victims and those that were available stated that they did not know the man, nor gave him clearance to use their cards.
According to records, a preliminary hearing is scheduled on August 5, however, court papers don’t list any details as to who will represent the Pottsville man.