NJ woman banned for life from casinos wins jackpot, likely won't keep winnings

A New Jersey woman had hit a jackpot at a Pennsylvania casino, but she almost certainly won’t get to keep her winnings since she was banned for life.

The 69-year-old from Asbury, whose name was not disclosed by authorities, won the jackpot from a slot machine at Hollywood Casino in Grantville on Sunday, Pennsylvania State Police said in a publicly released report.

There are more than 1,500 slot machines on the casino floor. Most recently, customers won jackpots worth $179,623, $81,824 and $41,635, according to the casino’s website.

The casino’s surveillance staff had called the cops shortly after 3:30 p.m. after the gambler was identified as being self-excluded for life, authorities said.

Police escorted the 69-year-old off the casino’s property and told her that a trespassing citation would be filed against her, according to authorities.

A person can request to be excluded from casinos for either a year, five years or a lifetime, according to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania. Self-exclusion can be a way for people struggling with a gambling problem to help themselves.

Police confirmed that the Asbury woman entered a lifetime exclusion status in 2019.

Casinos must refuse wagers and deny gaming privileges to any self-excluded person, according to the Council on Compulsive Gambling.

The Independent has reached out to the Pennsylvania State Police and Hollywood Casino for comment.

It’s very unlikely that the Asbury woman will be able to keep the jackpot because people who ban themselves from casinos are not allowed to collect winnings or recover losses, according to the Council on Compulsive Gambling.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.