HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today launched a 30-day public-comment period on draft regulations governing application and licensing requirements for operators of gaming facilities across the Commonwealth.

“Act 71 gives the Board the ‘power and duty’ to adopt the regulations necessary to bring expanded gaming to Pennsylvania and ensure its integrity,” said Board Chairman Thomas A. “Tad” Decker. “With each set of regulations we develop, we move a step closer to the day when expanded gaming can begin in the Commonwealth.”

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursday June 2, 2005, in the McConomy Auditorium of the University Center on the Carnegie Mellon University campus in Pittsburgh. The University Center is on Forbes Avenue near Forbes Avenue’s intersections with Morewood Avenue and Beeler Street.

Limited seating will be reserved for the media, and mult-box connections will be available. Agendas will be available at the meeting.

PITTSBURGH: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today issued an industry letter to potential applicants for gaming-facility operating licenses, alerting them that, as part of the licensing process, the Board intends to review all of the applicants’ contracts and business relationships.

“A key factor in the Board’s decision-making process will be the integrity and credibility of the potential licensee in all aspects of its business dealings,” said Board Chairman Thomas A. “Tad” Decker.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursday June 16, 2005, in Room 8E of the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. Agendas will be available at the meeting. Limited seating will be set aside for the media, and a mult-box connection will be provided.

HARRISBURG: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chairman Thomas A. “Tad” Decker today reminded the public that the comment period on the Board’s draft regulations governing application and licensing requirements for operators of gaming facilities across the Commonwealth and other issues ends on Friday June 17, 2005.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it is planning a Gaming Diversity Forum to promote the inclusion of women- and minority-owned businesses in the Commonwealth’s emerging gaming industry.

HARRISBURG: Thomas A. Decker, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, today issued the following statement on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision upholding most of Act 71 of 2004, which permits expanded gaming in the Commonwealth:

"My fellow Board members and I are delighted that the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of most of Act 71. We will continue to move forward with our mission: implementing and regulating expanded gaming in Pennsylvania."

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it has posted on its Web site downloadable application forms for companies and people interested in becoming licensed manufacturers of gaming equipment in the Commonwealth.

The deadline for returning completed applications to the Board is Aug. 15, 2005.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold a public meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday July 7, 2005, in Public Hearing Room #1 of the North Office Building in the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. The North Office Building is at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and North Street. People without Capitol credentials should use the North Street entrance to pass through security.

Limited reserved seating will be available for the media, and a mult-box connection will be provided. Agendas will be available at the meeting.

HARRISBURG: Video highlights of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board press conference introducing the Board’s first Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director for Investigations and Enforcement will be available from 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. EDT today. Coordinates for the satellite feed appear below.