HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is joining with the Pennsylvania Lottery, Horse Racing Commission, Harness Racing Commission and the Department of Health to support National Problem Gambling Awareness Week and to announce efforts to increase public awareness of the availability and benefits of problem gambling treatment. The goal is to educate the public and health care providers about problem gambling warning signs and where to call for help.

HARRISBURG: In order to better serve the public in its enforcement role, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has developed and made available on its web site a system that allows patrons of a licensed Pennsylvania slot casino to file a dispute or complaint and initiate an investigation.

HARRISBURG: Gary Sojka was sworn in yesterday as the newest member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board during its regular meeting in Harrisburg.

“This is both a tremendous challenge and an exciting way for me to help and protect the interests of the citizens of Pennsylvania” said Sojka, who received the oath of office from PA Commonwealth Court Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt.

HARRISBURG: The PGCB is providing National Problem Gambling Awareness Week (NPGAW) information designed to help educate the public and health care providers about problem gambling warning signs and where to call for help.

HARRISBURG: Expanded gaming is expected to contribute more than $500 million in revenue to the Commonwealth in the current fiscal year, Tad Decker, chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board told gaming professionals at the third annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress and Racing Forum in Harrisburg today.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced today that the start time for its Thursday, March 15, 2007 meeting will be at 11:00 am instead of the previously announced time of 10:00 am.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg.

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HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today filed an application requesting that the State Supreme Court require losing Category 2 slots operator applicants that have filed appeals of the Board’s December 20, 2006 licensing decision to post security bonds.

HARRISBURG: At its regular meeting yesterday, Board Chairman Tad Decker announced that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has scheduled a public hearing on March 27th to gather input as it prepares to open the application period for Category 3 slot operator licenses designated for resort hotels.

The hearing will take place during the Board’s scheduled meeting of that day and information will be gathered from both the legislature and potential Category 3 applicants. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it will hold three of its 2007 public meetings in locations throughout the Commonwealth.

As part of an updated agenda, the Board has scheduled public meetings in Pittsburgh on June 21st, Philadelphia on September 12th, and Scranton on October 2nd. All other Board meetings are scheduled to be held in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has made its job classification and compensation plan easily accessible to the public by posting it to its web site. The plan, which includes 66 unique job classifications, was compiled by PGCB staff through the benchmarking of positions against other agencies and regulatory entities and can be accessed by clicking the Employment tab at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.