HARRISBURG, PA: A casino operator and a vendor were fined a total of $29,000 today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for separate violations.

The larger of the fines, $24,000, was levied against Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. operators of Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack in Bensalem, for two separate instance of allowing underage gambling to occur. The Pennsylvania Racehorse Development and Gaming Act forbids slot machine gambling by individuals under the age of 21.

HARRISBURG, PA: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today requested that representatives of the two holders of Philadelphia slot machine licenses appear before the Board at its April 8, 2009 public meeting and provide a full and complete update on the status of their projects.

Board Chair Mary DiGiacomo Colins says representatives of HSP Gaming, LP (SugarHouse Casino) and Philadelphia Entertainment & Development Partners, LP (Foxwoods Casino) will be given the opportunity to not only make a presentation but also answer questions from the Board.

HARRISBURG, PA: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board issued the following statement on today’s announcement by Cannery Casino Resorts, owner of The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, and Australian-based Crown Limited to terminate its planned merger:

HARRISBURG, PA: Pennsylvania’s seven operating slots casinos were employing nearly 6,000 persons at the close of 2008 and demonstrating substantial effort and commitment toward promoting diversity within that number.

That is among the many conclusions contained in the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s “2008 Gaming Diversity Report”, released today and available on the Board’s web site.

HARRISBURG, PA: The amount of gross revenues generated in February 2009 through the play of slot machines at the six casinos that were also operating in February of the previous year rose 14.27%, according to figures received by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The six casinos generated $125,893,412.46 in gross revenues during the recently completed month compared to $110,169,729.96 in February 2008. This increase is all the more impressive since it occurred even though there was an additional operating day last February due to leap year.

HARRISBURG: During "Problem Gambling Awareness Week" March 1-7 2009, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is encouraging anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem to seek help.  This includes taking advantage of the voluntary Self-Exclusion Program that permits an individual to voluntarily request to be excluded from all gaming activities at all licensed slot machine facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

HARRISBURG – The state departments of Health, Agriculture, and Revenue – along with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board – will highlight National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, March 1 – 7, by reminding citizens that counseling and treatment services are available to those affected by a gambling addiction.

HARRISBURG, PA: Mary DiGiacomo Colins, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, today presented an update on the success and expanded regulatory oversight of legalized slots gaming in the Commonwealth.

The comments were made during Colins’ keynote address at the 5th Annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress and Mid-Atlantic Racing Forum in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s top official responsible for overseeing casino implementation of compulsive and problem gambling plans, as well as education and programs to assist citizens with gambling addictions, provided an update today to members of the House Gaming Oversight Committee.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has released its 2008 Annual Report. The 26-page document is available in electronic format and can be downloaded by visiting the Gaming Control Board’s web site www.pgcb.state.pa.us, and choosing the special Annual Report link on the home page.