Pennsylvania Woman Allegedly Stole $50,000 in Rent to Fund Gambling Addiction

Posted on: May 16, 2025, 12:01h. 

Last updated on: May 16, 2025, 08:56h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • A Pennsylvania woman is accused of stealing rent money to gamble
  • Police allege the 51-year-old stole more than $50K
  • The woman in question remains on the run

Police in Pennsylvania say a 51-year-old woman stole more than $50K in rent money to fund her gambling addiction.

Pennsylvania casino gambling addiction
The York City Police headquarters in Pennsylvania. Law enforcement in York, Pa., alleges that a 51-year-old woman stole more than $50K from renters to fuel her gambling addiction. (Image: Shutterstock/Casino.org)

The York City Police Department alleges that Annette Lynn Anderson kept the rent money she collected from tenants on behalf of a landlord and gambled much of it away. After initially being approached by law enforcement, Anderson reportedly conceded that she was suffering from a gambling addiction and was seeking help.

Anderson told police that she gambled often at a casino. The criminal complaint didn’t detail the casino, though York County is home to Hollywood Casino York, a Category 4 casino that houses 630 slot machines, 27 live-dealer table games, and an ESPN Bet Sportsbook. York City is just a short drive from the casino operated by Pennsylvania-based Penn Entertainment.

On its website, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has a Compulsive and Problem Gambling page dedicated to providing help and resources for persons affected by a gambling disorder.

Responsible gaming experts say the best way a person can ensure that their gambling problem doesn’t impact themselves or their families is to self-exclude. The PGCB’s four self-exclusion programs (casinos, iGaming, VGT, fantasy sports) have almost 34K enrollments. 

Anderson Now a Fugitive

The York City Police report explained that Anderson had been collecting the rent money from 23 tenants on behalf of her mother, who previously was the rent collector but had fallen ill.

Anderson allegedly encouraged renters to submit their rent through mobile means, including Venmo and CashApp. Instead of transferring the funds to the landlord, the rightful owner, Anderson is accused of pocketing the cash to gamble.

Anderson had pledged to pay the landlord the $50K, but police say she instead fled town or went into hiding.

Anderson was given an opportunity by police to make things right. However, she has instead decided to make her whereabouts unknown,” the police statement read.

Anderson has been charged with two felonies — theft by deception and theft by unlawful taking. A felony theft by deception charge is punishable by a prison sentence of seven years and a $15K fine. A person found guilty of theft by unlawful taking faces similar penalties. 

Criminal Record

This isn’t Anderson’s first run-in with the law. Casino.org perused Pennsylvania court records and found that she’s been charged with an array of crimes over the years.

In 1999, Anderson pleaded guilty to felony forgery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and criminal conspiracy. She was sentenced to 50 days in prison, community service, and years of probation.

In 2022, she pleaded guilty to a “duty of driver in emergency response areas” summary offense for failing to move over. And last September, a court ruled against her in a credit management firm’s lawsuit contesting overdue payments.

There are also numerous court cases against Anderson with charges stemming from her allegedly being in contempt of the court for failing to pay court-ordered fines, costs, or restitution.