Man who banned himself from casino must forfeit jackpot
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Associated Press

ERIE, Pa. -- A man who won a $2,001 slot machine jackpot at Erie's Presque Isle Downs & Casino will forfeit the winnings, and be charged with trespassing, because he had previously banned himself from the casino under a state program to help problem gamblers.

The state police have not identified the 55-year-old Waterford Township man who won the jackpot Friday, sometime between 10 a.m. and noon.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board offers a self-exclusion program to problem gamblers. They can choose to ban themselves from casinos for one or five years, or for life. It wasn't immediately clear when the jackpot winner banned himself or for how long.

But under the program, banned players are charged with criminal trespass if they enter a casino and must forfeit any winnings.