Despite once again postponing some slots licensing hearings, the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board (PGCB) insists that it still intends to award the licences on 20 December. Incomplete background investigations have been blamed for the delay in hearings for the projects in Allentown and Gettysburg. Changes in ownership since the original licence applications were made have caused problems.

The US$325 million Tropicana casino hotel project in Allentown was submitted by Aztar Corp, a company that has now been acquired by Columbia Entertainment. The casino planned for Gettysburg by Crossroads Gaming has had one investor withdraw to be replaced by another. The speed at which background checks can be conducted has proved problematic for the PGCB and backlogs have developed. Apart from checks on all those involved in licence applications, slot machine suppliers and Board employees had all to be investigated before approval.

The proposals for Allentown and Gettysburg will now be heard on 13 December. Oral arguments for the five stand-alone licences are set for 19 December, just one day before the PGCB awards the licences. Critics contend that the Board is rushing its decision without leaving enough time to consider what it hears.

In September conditional Category 1 licences were awarded to five racetracks and the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has already opened its racino. Two applications for the two available Category 3 resort licences have both been withdrawn. Although Pennsylvania gaming law allows for 14 slots operations, it seems that only 10 will be licensed in the immediate future. (E-11.29.06)

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