HARRISBURG, PA:  A casino operator was fined $97,500 today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for 15 separate violations dealing with underage gambling and access to the gaming floor by underage individuals.

The fines were approved under two consent agreements with Downs Racing, L.P., operators of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The civil penalties, unanimously approved by the Board at its public meeting in Harrisburg, were for incidents that occurred between August 2008 and March 2009. 

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it will hold a hearing on Friday, August 28, 2009 to consider the petition of Philadelphia Partnership and Development Corporation (Foxwoods) which seeks additional time to make slot machines available to play.

The Board issued the Foxwoods license on May 29, 2008.  On May 22, 2009, the Foxwoods' ownership group filed its petition for an extension of time to commence operation for up to an additional twenty-four months.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced a hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 to gather evidence, including public comment, on the renewal of the Category 1 slot machine operator’s license of Chester Downs and Marina, LLC, operating as Harrah’s Chester.

The hearing will begin at 10:00 am at Chester City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor, located at 1 Fourth Street, Chester, PA 19013.

HARRISBURG, PA: The amount of gross terminal revenue generated in July 2009 through the play of slot machines at eight casinos rose 18.46% over the previous year, according to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it would hold a hearing on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 to gather evidence, including public comment, on the renewal of the Category 1 slot machine operator’s license of Downs Racing, LP, operators of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Casino.

The hearing will begin at 10:00 am at the Plains Township Municipal Building #2, located behind the firehouse at 50 Second Street in Plains, Pennsylvania.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that one application was filed to meet the Tuesday deadline for a special 90 day period established to uncover additional interest for the remaining Category 3 slots license for an established hotel resort.

Wyo Gaming, L.P. filed the application for a proposed slots-only casino at the Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel located at 1741 Papermill Road in Wyomissing, Berks County.

HARRISBURG, PA: The amount of tax revenue generated through the play of slot machines in fiscal year 2008/09 rose 24.86% over the previous fiscal year, according to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The state fiscal year ended June 30th.

In the 2008/09 fiscal year, tax revenues from slots play at the eight operating casinos was $964,701,535.35. That compares to $772,614,292.75 that was generated in the 2007/08 fiscal year which ended with seven facilities operating.

HARRISBURG:  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced today that the start time for its Wednesday, June 17, 2009 public meeting has been moved up one hour earlier to 10:00 AM.  The meeting remains at the State Museum Auditorium at 303 North Street in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Max Baer today said the citizens of the Commonwealth are relying upon the leadership of new Gaming Control Board Chair Gregory C. Fajt to continue the tremendous growth and strict oversight of the new slots casino industry.

Justice Baer made the comments after swearing in Fajt as the third Chairman of the Board at the start of today’s public meeting. Fajt was named Chairman by Governor Edward G. Rendell after serving for the past two years as the Governor’s Chief of Staff. He will serve a three-year term.

HARRISBURG, PA:  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today unanimously approved the reinstatement of the gaming license of Mt. Airy Resort Casino principal owner Louis A. DeNaples, but with a number of conditions.

The decision lifts a February 5, 2008 suspension that was placed on DeNaples after criminal charges for perjury were filed against him by the Dauphin County District Attorney. However, those charges were dismissed by the District Attorney on April 17th of this year.