PA Gaming Control Board To Make Category 1 Public Files Available For Review Aug. 7

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it will make available for review public files on the six applicants for conditional Category 1 gaming licenses beginning on Monday Aug. 7, 2006. The files will be available the Board’s Harrisburg offices on the 5th floor of the Verizon Tower in Strawberry Square on Walnut Street.

“Citizens throughout the Commonwealth should have access to information pertaining to applicants for slot machine licenses,” said Executive Director Anne LaCour Neeb. “As we approach the next phase of the licensing process, the Gaming Control Board is committed to providing as much information as possible.”

At the same time, Neeb said that certain information must remain confidential under the Gaming Act.

“The Board must balance its obligations under Act 71 with the public’s right to know,” Neeb said. “We are pleased to make these documents available prior to the conditional Category 1 licensing hearings in September.”

To best accommodate people who wish to inspect these public documents, the Gaming Control Board is setting up a public review room at its offices. This room will be available during normal PGCB business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday Aug. 7 through Friday Aug. 11.

After Aug. 11, the Gaming Control Board requests that people interested in reviewing the Category 1 documents please call ahead to the Office of Communications at 717-346-8321.

People who wish to obtain copies of these documents can place orders through the Gaming Control Board. In order to obtain copies as quickly as possible, the Board suggests that people bring a check that can be completed for the appropriate fees and submitted during the public inspection visit.

Under Act 71 of 2004, the Gaming Control Board is responsible for issuing 14 gaming licenses – seven at horse-racing tracks (Category 1); five stand-alone facilities, including two in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh (Category 2); and two at existing resorts (Category 3). Public folders on the Category 2 and Category 3 applications will also be made available, and their availability will be announced when the Gaming Control Board has completed its review.