Responsible gaming

Laurette J. Pitts
Posted 8/21/12

The sun is out and summer is almost here. Like most of you, we’ve done our spring cleaning and gotten our ducks in a row to make sure we can make the most of this action-packed season in the …

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Responsible gaming

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The sun is out and summer is almost here. Like most of you, we’ve done our spring cleaning and gotten our ducks in a row to make sure we can make the most of this action-packed season in the Sullivan County Catskills.

With the rise in warm-weather visitors to the casino, it’s the perfect time to talk about Monticello Casino and Raceway’s commitment to ensuring that our children are not exposed to gambling at Monticello Casino and Raceway and to emphasize our policy of zero tolerance for underage gaming. As a mother of two and the COO/CFO of Monticello Casino and Raceway, I’m glad that we’ve taken this important step to ensure no one under the age of 18 is allowed in our facility. Monticello Casino and Raceway was the first property in New York to do so, showing our strong commitment to the wellbeing of our kids and our community.

Gambling is an adult activity. And underage gambling is illegal. For those reasons, we don’t allow anyone under the age of 18 in our property. That means underage children are not permitted on the gaming floor, in the buffet or in the grandstands. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to purchase lottery tickets, play video gaming machines and place wagers on horse races in New York

Complying with these safeguards is everyone’s responsibility. Adults should not bring children to a casino. If you observe an underage child, or someone who you think is under 18 years of age anywhere in Monticello Casino and Raceway, please notify a staff member immediately. We take seriously our responsibility to safeguard our kids, and believe that the enforcement of this policy at Monticello Casino and Raceway protects their best interest.

We care about our kids and our community. Through our contribution from the net win from wagering on VGMs [video gaming machines] at Monticello Casino and Raceway, we’ve contributed over $296 million in direct aid to the state fund for education for the children of the State of New York. We’re good corporate citizens paying over $11 million in annual aid payments to the Village of Monticello, the Town of Thompson and the County of Sullivan to reduce real property taxes and to increase support for public schools.

Our past 11 years have allowed us the honor to serve our community and, through doing so, has made a difference. Our participation in the community has paired us with local charities like the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program, Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters and the Boys and Girls Club of Orange and Sullivan counties. We have had the distinct honor to partner with good people like these and many more.

Our 300-plus team members join in me thanking you for your patronage and supporting our commitment to our kids and our community. Here’s to a fun filled summer for both our over- and under-18-year-olds.

[Laurette J. Pitts is a senior vice president and the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Monticello Casino and Raceway in Monticello, NY.]

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