Lebanon County Edged Out of Slots Profits

On May 3rd, 2008, Lebanon County did not receive anything when the state divided the first round of profits from the Hollywood Casino at the Penn National Race Course. The Dauphin County and the Dauphin East Hanover TWP received $525,832 each as their part of the casino revenues. Lebanon County and its East Hanover TWP received nothing because the state Gaming Control Board's understanding of what is the meaning of a license facility.

Officials of Lebanon County said that they deserve some part of the profits because around twenty acres of Penn National is located in the East Hanover Area of TWP, although the casino establishment is located in the area that is in Dauphin County. The gaming board commented that the licensee only leases the Penn National property in Dauphin County and the part of Penn National that is Lebanon County is not a part of the licensed establishment.

In a bid to clarify what a licensed establishment means, a proposal presented before the state gaming control board would clarify that the world can be used to the casino gaming floor and the surrounding restaurants and establishments. This plan for a more standard definition was also pushed by two resort casino applications which are the Fernwood Hotel and Resort in Monroe County and the Resort at Split Rock in Carbon County. Those establishments must ensure that they will not be constructed within fifteen miles of existing casino facilities and that meaning could be a huge factor.

A thirty-day comment period will be given on the proposal. After the thirty day comment period, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission will release a decision. For the East Hanover Twp., Lebanon County, the definition will decide on whether the county will have receive up to three hundred thousand dollars to help pay for the road renovation, fire protection and others.

The solicitor for East Hanover Twp., Lebanon County, Sam Weiss Jr. commented that he understands that the gaming law means that if the establishment is situated into two counties, the profit will be divided based on the land in each county. Aside from that, the commissioners of Lebanon County and the legislators have made letters pushing for their county to receive some money from the slots profits.

Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Marissa Patterson