Gaming Board Will Hold Hearings to Decide on Casino Licenses

On September 6th, 2008, the hearings to decide if the owners of two Pocono resorts are appropriate to possess the state casino licenses are scheduled next month. The state Gambling Control Board will hold back-to-back suitability hearings on October 23rd, 2008 in Harrisburg for the Resort at Split Rock, which is owned by Vacation Charters Incorporated and Fernwood Hotel and Resort, which is operated by the Bushkill Group Incorporated.

An October 22nd, 2008 hearing is scheduled for the third casino applicant, Valley Forge Convention Center located at the King of Prussia, Montgomery County. The three applicants are competing against each other for the two available casino resort licenses that will allow for up to five hundred slot machines for customers. They must pass the hearing to make it to the final round.

The potential licensee should have a good character, financially viable, a good business plan and the ability to pay the $5 million fee for the Category III licenses or resort licenses. The Act 71 says that applicants must give information to establish a convincing picture of the applicant's good character.

Board members can also ask the casino applicants about their personal information like their family, associates and others. Gaming Board spokesperson Richard McGarvey said that there is no decision has been made regarding the date for board members to decide on awarding the two gaming license. The gambling board's licensing process has been the focus of controversy since the awarding of the slots license in 2006 to Louis A. Naples' Mount Airy Resort Casino and the perjury charge against him. DeNaples maintains his innocence on the lawsuit filed against him.

Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Kori Woffendin