Due to ‘significant’ public interest, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) moved its Board Meeting from the State Museum Auditorium to the larger Forum Building. A public vote will be taken on operator licences for stand-alone slot machines and on permanent status for operator licences for the state’s horseracing facilities.

Yesterday the PGCB heard final arguments from prospective slots investors. Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa, with an application for the Gettysburg area, decided to present the Board with a 15-page document on Monday and made no final oral representation. Late yesterday the PGCB commenced final deliberations behind closed doors on the awarding of operator licences. There are only two licences available outside the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas.

The PGCB will be awarding 11 licences for up to 5,000 gaming machines at each operation, making Pennsylvania possibly the nation’s highest grossing commercial gambling state. Philadelphia could become the largest American city with a casino – it will get two licences. The 7-member licensing board is able to postpone a decision if unable to agree on any of the proposals. There are 13 applicants for the 5 stand-alone licences.

Under the 2004 gambling act passed in Pennsylvania there are 14 available licences. Applications for resort casinos were earlier withdrawn by their prospective investors. As many as 61,000 slot machines are allowed under the law. The racetracks Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Philadelphia Park have both opened with far fewer machines than the 5,000 authorised. (E-12.20.06)

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