PA Gaming Control Board Announces Schedule of Conditional Category 1 Licensing Hearings

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced the schedule of Licensing Hearings on the six applications it received for conditional Category 1 gaming licenses.

The hearings, which will be open to the public, will take place in Harrisburg on Aug. 7-9, 2006, in the Auditorium of the State Museum Building, 3rd and North streets. The order of hearings was randomly chosen.

The times and dates of the hearings are:

Monday Aug. 7

    * 2 p.m. - Washington Trotting Association, Inc. (Meadowlands)

Tuesday Aug. 8

    * 9 a.m. - Presque Isle Downs, Inc. (Erie)
    * 12:30 p.m. - Downs Racing, L.P. (Wilkes-Barre)
    * 3 p.m. - Chester Downs and Marina, LLC (Chester)

Wednesday Aug. 9

    * 9 a.m. - Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association (Grantville)
    * 12:30 p.m. - Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. (Bensalem)

Under Act 71 of 2004, the Gaming Control Board is authorized to award 14 slot-machine gaming licenses to facilities across Pennsylvania. Seven Category 1 licenses are authorized for horse-race tracks; five Category 2 licenses are authorized for standalone slots facilities - two in Philadelphia, one in Pittsburgh and two at tourism-enhanced locations across the state; and two Category 3 licenses are authorized for existing resorts.

The Gaming Control Board is considering 22 applications for the 14 licenses - six for Category 1 licenses; 14 for Category 2 licenses, including five in Philadelphia, three in Pittsburgh and six for tourism-enhanced locations; and two for Category 3 licenses.

The Board expects to act on conditional Category 1 license applications in September 2006, and on Category 2, Category 3 and permanent Category applications in December 2006.