PRESS RELEASE

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will end its lease for office space in Conshohocken, Pa., to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, Chairman Tad Decker said today.

“The Board confirmed last week through press reports that a group in which our lessor has a property interest is a likely applicant for a gaming license,” Decker said. “I have since spoken with our real estate broker and the lessor, and we have confirmed that we will be terminating the lease.

“I have spoken with Board members about this individually and during conference calls, and I have determined that they will support the termination of the lease and re-bidding the contract,” he added.

“This is a burden to our staff and to potential operators, but we are taking this step proactively to avoid even the appearance of a conflict,” Decker said.

Following the requirements of the state’s Procurement Code, the Board requested bids for office space in southeastern Pennsylvania in May 2005. It awarded the contract in June 2005 and moved into the space on Sept. 16.

The Board will require future bidders for contracts to affirm that they have no connection to any gaming applicant or gaming licensee, Decker said. Any company that enters into a contract with the Board must give the Board the right to terminate that agreement if the company subsequently enters into an arrangement that may pose a potential conflict, he added.