HARRISBURG: Expanded gaming is expected to contribute more than $500 million in revenue to the Commonwealth in the current fiscal year, Tad Decker, chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board told gaming professionals at the third annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress and Racing Forum in Harrisburg today.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced today that the start time for its Thursday, March 15, 2007 meeting will be at 11:00 am instead of the previously announced time of 10:00 am.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg.

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HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today filed an application requesting that the State Supreme Court require losing Category 2 slots operator applicants that have filed appeals of the Board’s December 20, 2006 licensing decision to post security bonds.

HARRISBURG: At its regular meeting yesterday, Board Chairman Tad Decker announced that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has scheduled a public hearing on March 27th to gather input as it prepares to open the application period for Category 3 slot operator licenses designated for resort hotels.

The hearing will take place during the Board’s scheduled meeting of that day and information will be gathered from both the legislature and potential Category 3 applicants. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it will hold three of its 2007 public meetings in locations throughout the Commonwealth.

As part of an updated agenda, the Board has scheduled public meetings in Pittsburgh on June 21st, Philadelphia on September 12th, and Scranton on October 2nd. All other Board meetings are scheduled to be held in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has made its job classification and compensation plan easily accessible to the public by posting it to its web site. The plan, which includes 66 unique job classifications, was compiled by PGCB staff through the benchmarking of positions against other agencies and regulatory entities and can be accessed by clicking the Employment tab at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board yesterday received important input from a number of witnesses as it prepares to open the application period for resort slot facilities.

The Race Horse Development and Gaming Act permits the licensing of two Category 3 facilities at well-established resort hotels having no fewer than 275 guest rooms under common ownership and having substantial year-round recreational guest amenities. The facilities can operate up to 500 slot machines compared to a maximum of 5,000 slot machines at Category 1 and 2 facilities.

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board filed suit on Thursday with the State Supreme Court challenging an ordinance passed by Philadelphia City Council which would amend the city’s Home Rule charter through a May 15th ballot referendum, thereby restricting the location of legally approved slots casinos and further delaying property tax relief and new jobs.

Board Chairman Tad Decker says the ordinance is illegal since the Gaming Act clearly provides the Board with the authority to locate slot machine facilities.

Also Updates Rules Governing Category 3 Licenses

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that it will accept applications for the two Category 3 slot machine licenses at resort hotels beginning April 20, 2007. The application period will run for 60 days.

HARRISBURG: Professional, educational and service organizations can make a request for a speaker from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for meetings and conferences.

The PGCB Speakers Bureau can make available board members and seasoned professionals who can present on various topics including the history and operation of the PGCB, compulsive gaming, gaming and the horse-racing industry, enforcement, legal and regulatory matters, human-resource issues and technology.