HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today named Stephen M. DeFrank, a veteran staffer in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, as its first legislative liaison.

“Part of our job is keeping open lines of communications between the Board and the Legislature, and Steve’s long-time service on Capitol Hill will facilitate that kind of dialogue,” said Tad Decker, Chairman of the Board. “He will be a tremendous addition to our staff.”

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold public meetings at 10 a.m. on Thursday Dec. 1, 2005, and 10 a.m. on Thursday Dec. 15, 2005, in 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. Peopl without Capitol credentials should enter via North Street to pass through security.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will keep its December 28, 2005, deadline for the submission of all applications for operating licenses, Chairman Tad Decker said today.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today launched a month-long public-comment period on draft regulations governing internal controls.

“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 Chairman 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 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.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today launched separate public comments periods on draft regulations governing hearings and appeals and management companies.

“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 Chairman 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 State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board have signed an agreement to ensure the integrity of gaming in the Commonwealth, Colonel Jeffrey Miller, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, and Tad Decker, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said today.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today agreed to open the application process for potential suppliers of gaming equipment. The Board will accept supplier applications from Dec. 20, 2005, through Feb. 28, 2006.

The policy approved today allows the Board to begin with the licensing process for suppliers without addressing the issue of whether to license them statewide or by region. No supplier licenses will be issued until the question of statewide or regional licensure is resolved.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has named Dan Stambaugh, a veteran staffer in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, as a legislative liaison.

“Part of our job is keeping open lines of communications between the Board and the Legislature, and Dan’s long-time service on Capitol Hill will facilitate that kind of dialogue,” said Tad Decker, Chairman of the Board. “He will be a tremendous addition to our staff.”

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today published application forms for people and companies interested in becoming licensed suppliers of gaming equipment in Pennsylvania. The forms, as well as instructions for submitting them, are available on the Board’s Web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us, under “Licensure.”

Under Act 71 of 2004, operators of gaming facilities in Pennsylvania must purchase gaming equipment from licensed suppliers.