PRESS RELEASE

Funds available to prevent the unlawful operation of slot machines

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that local law enforcement agencies will soon be able to apply for grants to enforce and prevent the unlawful operation of slot machines.

The grant program was developed and approved by the Legislature as part of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act and funded with $5 million annually from money generated from slot machine facilities.

Instructions and applications will be available on the PGCB web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us, beginning May 15, 2007. The application period will run until June 30, 2007. The Board expects to announce recipients by September.

Executive Director Anne Neeb says the program will enable local law enforcement to help maximize the revenues intended to fund property tax relief, local governments, the horse racing industry, economic development and tourism.

"The Board looks forward to receiving proposals from local law enforcement agencies on how they plan to counteract the negative effects that the proliferation of illegal slot machines can have on the legal generation of revenues," Neeb says.

The Board announced the details of the grant program today at its regularly scheduled public meeting in Harrisburg. The next scheduled meeting will be held in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg on May 17, 2007 beginning at 11:00 am.

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