Sheldon Adelson continues to wage his high-profile war against online gaming. He even went so far as to say that he would “spend whatever it takes” to ban the practice. In prosecuting his losing campaign, Adelson repeatedly argues that online gaming would allow underage kids to gamble unchecked, stating that “there’s no technology that a kid can’t get around.” Land-based casinos, he argues, already have enforcement mechanisms in place to stop kids from gaming illegally.

Adelson should find a better argument. His Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem has been fined seven times for allowing underage gambling since January 2013. The latest “few” – two 20-year-old females and a 18-year-old male – were permitted onto Adelson’s casino floor to play slots, table games and drink alcohol.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board assessed Adelson’s Sands Casino in Bethlehem a $39,000 penalty. That brings Adelson’s fines for underage gaming to seven fines totaling $380,000.

Remember this the next time Sheldon Adelson and his lobbyists say we need a federal ban on online gaming to protect the children. As we have said before, gaming has always been a state issue. It should remain a state issue.