The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which will award 14 slots parlour licenses across the state, began accepting applications on Tuesday for some slots licences. The Gaming Control Board posted applications for Category 2 and Category 3 gaming facilities on its website. Category 2 slots are stand-alone sites, and are most likely to be casinos yet to be constructed. Category 3 licenses would go to existing facilities that want to add slot machines.

Anyone who wishes to enter the gaming industry has until December 28 to submit applications with the state gaming board. The board then has up to 12 months to make its decisions. Philadelphia has been approved for two casinos. Last week, the Philadelphia Gaming Task Force released a report saying that the city would get between 7,000 and 12,000 new, permanent jobs from two casinos and an estimated US$26 million to US$30 million in annual host fees from casino operators.

The report also said that gaming revenue could be maximized by placing one of the city's casinos near the Schuylkill Expressway and Route 1 and the other either along the Delaware River waterfront or in Center City, which would allow them to reach the broadest possible market. Casino operators will ultimately decide where the casinos go but they must get zoning approval from the city. (E-11.02.05)

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