The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) argues the core problem behind rising underage gambling is not licensed casinos failing at age checks, but the easy access young people have to offshore and unregulated online platforms and unmonitored skill-game terminals. The PGCB launched its “What’s Really at Stake” campaign during Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship to make that contrast central to prevention and enforcement work.
What licensed operators do differently
Licensed casinos and sportsbooks in Pennsylvania must use age-verification tools and other controls that block anyone under 21 from wagering on casino games or sports; those systems are part of the state’s regulatory framework and included in the PGCB’s responsible-gaming resources at ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov. Kevin O’Toole, PGCB Executive Director, highlighted those protections as industry requirements when the campaign launched in March around the NCAA tournament.
Where the protections break down: illegal sites and local terminals
Offshore and unregulated sites, including some sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets, typically lack reliable age checks and are accessible via simple web searches or apps; the PGCB singled those platforms out as the gap the campaign targets. Skill-game terminals placed in non-casino venues frequently operate without robust ID checks, creating a second, physical route around licensed safeguards.
How big the youth exposure is — and how it shows up
Research cited by the PGCB paints a sharp picture: 75% of U.S. college students gambled in the past year and 18% gambled weekly or more; 58% of 18- to 22-year-olds bet on sports, and 6% reported losing more than $500 in a single day. More than one-third of boys aged 11 to 17 said they gambled in the past year. Josh Ercole of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania says calls from young people to 1-800-GAMBLER have risen and often point to unregulated online platforms as the entry point.
| Platform | Legal age | Typical age checks | Common risk | Where to report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed casinos & sportsbooks | 21 (casino/sports) | ID checks, database verification | Lower—regulated | PGCB/ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov |
| Pennsylvania Lottery | 18 | Retailer checks vary | Confusion over age thresholds | PA Lottery enforcement |
| Offshore/unregulated websites | Varies; often ignored | Often none or superficial | High—easy youth access | Report to PGCB or national watchdogs |
| Skill-game terminals (non-casino) | Regulation unclear | Frequently none | High—local, unattended access | Local law enforcement / PGCB |
Where parents, schools and regulators should focus next
The PGCB’s campaign gives two practical starting points: stop treating licensed age controls as the whole answer, and direct resources at the channels that bypass them. For parents and schools, that means monitoring browser/app access and discussing the difference between legal lottery play at 18 and casino/sports rules that start at 21; the Pennsylvania Department of Education has materials aligned to classroom standards to help with that outreach.
For regulators, the next checkpoint is measurable: reduce youth access to unregulated platforms and impose visible enforcement on problematic skill-game terminals. The PGCB will be watching helpline trends at 1-800-GAMBLER, complaint reports to ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov, and any enforcement filings or takedown actions as signals of progress.
Short Q&A
Q: Who to call if a young person is gambling? A: 1-800-GAMBLER and the resources at ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov provide help and referrals.
Q: Is a licensed casino the main cause of underage gambling? A: No—PGCB officials say licensed operators use stronger age checks than offshore sites and the main gaps are unregulated web platforms and unverified terminals.
Q: How will we know the campaign works? A: Look for fewer calls from young people to 1-800-GAMBLER about unregulated sites, more enforcement notices against illegal operators, and reduced access reports from schools and parents.
