Casino licensing renewal hearings before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board are not prone to creating a lot of surprising news, amid the declarations of their positive economic benefits and community contributions from both the operators and their supporters.
At a hearing this week, though, Rivers Casino Philadelphia officials mentioned the installation of metal detectors in a way that seemed to surprise some on the gaming board, even if it might be common knowledge among recent patrons of the casino.
While it is required at the 16 casinos in Pennsylvania for anyone entering to pass a staffed security checkpoint – where they may be checked for age verification or for status on state exclusion lists prohibiting their entry – the type of weapons checks now standard at stadiums and government buildings are not common for gaming facilities.