SugarHouse table games hearing set for May 19

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold a hearing next month on whether to allow SugarHouse Casino to operate table games.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. at the great hall in the Winnet Student Life Building of the Community College of Philadelphia.

The site is located at 17th Street, between Spring Garden and Callowhill streets.

Citizens, community groups and elected officials wishing to present oral or written testimony, which will become part of the evidentiary record, can register by clicking on a special link on the homepage of the PGCB website at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

The link also allows viewing and downloading of public documents related to SugarHouse’ petition to permit table games, and shows a list of hearing witnesses, updated as they register.

The deadline for registration and the receipt of written comments for this hearing is noon on Monday, May 17. Comments can also be mailed, with a postmark no later than Monday, May 17th, to the PA Gaming Control Board, P.O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106, Attention: Board Secretary, or the comments can be faxed to 717-346-8350.

According to state gaming law, SugarHouse’s petition for table games must include:
-The number and type of table games for which authorization is sought;
-The estimated number of full-time and part-time employment positions that will be created through the addition of table games;
-A description of the additional economic benefits expected to be realized by the Commonwealth and its residents;
-Site plans identifying the petitioner’s proposed table game area; and,
-A description of the licensee’s plan to provide training and instruction for personnel.

The SugarHouse Casino is a Category 2 facility currently under construction and is one of five casinos in Pennsylvania licensed as a stand alone venue. Under the Act, Category 1 (a casino at a horse racing track) and Category 2 facilities may initially operate up to 250 gaming tables, with no more than 30% of these used for nonbanking games. Six months following the date of commencement of table game operations, the Category 1 or Category 2 table games certificate holder can increase the number of gaming tables upon approval by the Board. The certificate holder must petition the Board for the increase, at which time the Board shall take into account the appropriateness of the physical space where the gaming tables will be located, the convenience of the public attending the facility, and the potential benefit to the Commonwealth.

-Posted by Kellie Patrick Gates