PA Gaming Control Board Completes Posting of Local-impact Reports

HARRISBURG: Continuing its effort to conduct an open and transparent licensing process, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it has completed the posting of local-impact reports from all 22 applicants for gaming licenses on its Web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

“With public-input hearings on gaming applications starting April 5, it is essential that this information be available to the public so people can make strong, informed presentations at the hearings,” said Anne LaCour Neeb, Executive Director of the PGCB. “Public input remains a critical component of the licensing process.”

To access electronic copies of the impact reports, visit www.pgcb.state.pa.us and click on the “Public Input Hearings/Local Impact Reports” button. Links to the applicants’ reports are organized by the public-input hearing at which that application will be considered. Information on the public-input hearings is also available by clicking on the “Public Input Hearings/Local Impact Reports” button.

The public-input hearings are scheduled over 13 days in nine Pennsylvania communities in April and May. Information gathered at the hearings will become part of the formal record the Board considers when deciding which proposed facilities to license. All hearings will be open to the public and the media.

People interested in speaking at the public-input hearings must submit a registration form that can be accessed via the Board’s Web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us. Registration forms received by the Board must be postmarked no later than March 17, 2006, to be considered. Guidelines for participation have been developed for the hearings and are also posted on the Web site.

Should the number of requests exceed the time allowed for a public-input hearing, those not selected to speak will be able to submit written comments for inclusion in the permanent public record.

The locations and dates of the hearings, as well as the proposed facilities to be discussed at each, are:

    • April 5, Gettysburg, Gettysburg College (Crossroads Gaming)
    • April 6-7, Harrisburg, State Museum (Mountainview)
    • April 10-12, Philadelphia, Drexel University (HSP Gaming; Philadelphia Entertainment & Development; PNK (Pa), LLC; Riverwalk Casino; Keystone Redevelopment; Chester Downs; Greenwood Gaming);
    • April 18-19, Pittsburgh, Omni William Penn Hotel (IOC Pittsburgh Inc.; PITG Gaming; Station Square Gaming; Washington Trotting)
    • April 21, Erie, Gannon University (Presque Isle Downs)
    • April 27, Poconos, Split Rock Resort (Downs Racing; Mount Airy; Pocono Manor)
    • April 28, Lehigh Valley, Crowne Plaza Allentown Hotel (Sands Bethworks Gaming; Boyd PA Partners; Tropicana PA, LLC)
    • May 2, Uniontown, Holiday Inn Holidome & Conference Center (Woodlands Fayette)
    • May 3, Somerset, Hidden Valley Resort (Seven Springs Farm)

Paper copies of all 22 local-impact reports are also available for review at the PGCB’s offices in the Strawberry Square office building on Walnut Street in Harrisburg. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Under Act 71 of 2004, the Gaming Control Board is responsible for issuing 14 gaming licenses – seven at horse-racing tracks; five standalone facilities, including two in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh; and two at existing resorts.