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.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today placed conditions on its approval of a request by The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem to permit the casino to modify the scope of its initial project.

The approval allows The Sands to delay completion of the hotel, retail and multi-purpose facility portions of its project until after the initial opening of the permanent slot machine facility.  The Sands’ current target is to open its casino to the public in May 2009.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Bureau of Licensing today notified five vendors who have an owner, officer or director with either a felony conviction or felony charge that they could no longer continue to do business with Pennsylvania casinos pending final action by the Board.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today honored retiring Director of the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, David Kwait, for his integrity and tireless work in helping to launch the Commonwealth’s slots casino industry.

“The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board proudly recognizes David Kwait for his exemplary record of service and leadership,” said Chairman Mary DiGiacomo Colins. “We congratulate David on his retirement from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and wishes him the very best in all his future endeavors.”

HARRISBURG, PA:  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's Director of Gaming Laboratory Operations will speak at an international conference focused on technology in the gaming industry on November 18, 2008.

Michael Cruz will be joined by representatives of public gaming labs from Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan and Mississippi in a presentation and panel discussion titled "Setting Up a Public Slot Lab" at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), held annually in Las Vegas.

HARRISBURG: David Kwait, the Director of the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement (BIE) of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that he will retire, effective December 5, 2008. Kwait has served as the first director of the BIE since July 2005.

“Directing the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement has been challenging, exciting and, candidly, at times difficult. But, throughout my tenure as the Director, I’ve constantly been surrounded by hardworking professionals of the highest caliber,” Kwait said. “It has been an honor to work with them.”

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today completed two days of licensing suitability hearings for Valley Forge Convention Center Partners, L.P. and Bushkill Group, Inc. (Fernwood Hotel & Resort), each requesting approval for either of the two available Category 3 slot machine licenses for existing resorts.

HARRISBURG: In its continuing efforts to help the citizens of Pennsylvania better understand the growing slots casino market and the tremendous oversight effort being undertaken, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched videos of important Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on its web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today released an altered schedule for the licensing suitability hearings of two remaining applicants vying for Category 3 licenses. The schedule change was made due to yesterday’s announced withdrawal of Split Rock Resort as an applicant for a license.