Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is a governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded in 2004 as the state licensing and regulatory agency responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state. The first completely new agency created in Pennsylvania in over 30 years, the PGCB administers the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, also known as "Act 71", and its regulations to assure public trust and confidence in the credibility and integrity of casinos in Pennsylvania.

The PGCB does not oversee games of chance in the Commonwealth such as the Pennsylvania Lottery or other permitted games of chance at clubs and non-profit organizations.

Composition

The board consists of seven voting members, three of which are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania and four of which are appointed by the leadership of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. [ [http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/members.htm Members] , www.pgcb.state.pa.us] By statute, the State Treasurer, Secretary of Revenue, and Secretary of Agriculture are non-voting ex-officio members. [ [http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/exofficio.htm Ex-officio members] , www.pgcb.state.pa.us]

Economic effects of slots gambling

Revenue produced from slot machines in Pennsylvania go to property tax relief and rebates, the horse racing industry, economic development, tourism, and the local governments of gambling establishments. It also funds the PGCB and other enforcement agencies, so that there is no taxpayer burden to pay for the oversight of this industry.

The PGCB estimates that slot machines will produce 15,000 new casino jobs, and 24,000 jobs in construction. [ [http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/?p=52 PGCB] ]

Casino licenses

The board is authorized to issue up to 14 licenses for slot machine operations only. Seven licenses may be issued to existing horse race tracks, or racinos, five licenses may be issued to stand-alone casinos, and two licenses may be issued to existing hotel resorts. All can have up to 5,000 machines, except the last two resort licensees, which can have up to 500. The Act also mandated that two of the five stand-alone casinos be located in Philadelphia, one in Pittsburgh, and the remaining two at-large. As of July 2008, 11 of the licenses have been awarded. The remaining three are in the licensing process and include one more racino license and the two smaller resort licenses.

Racinos

On December 20, 2006, the board voted to grant six permanent casino licenses for existing horse racing facilities. [ [http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/press/pr_122006.HTM "PA Gaming Control Board Approves 11 Permanent Operator Licenses"] , www.pgcb.state.pa.us] The board previously voted to grant these locations temporary licenses on September 27, 2006. [ [http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/press/pr_092706_02.HTM "PA Approves First Gaming Licenses"] , www.pgcb.state.pa.us] The licensed facilities are:
*Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in Chester
*Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre
*Philadelphia Park Casino in Bensalem
*Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Grantville
*Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie
*Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington

tand-alone casinos

On the same day, the board voted to grant five permanent casino licenses for stand-alone casinos. The licensed facilities are:
*SugarHouse Casino, Philadelphia (yet to begin construction)
*Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia (yet to begin construction)
*Majestic Star Casino Pittsburgh (opening 2nd or 3rd quarter 2009)
*Mount Airy Casino Resort, Paradise Township, Monroe County (opened October 22, 2007)
*Sands BethWorks, Bethlehem (opening 2nd or 3rd quarter 2009)

ee also

* List of Pennsylvania state agencies

Notes

External links

* [http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/ Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board]