Presque Isle Downs & Casino will get a review of its operations from an important source -- the regulatory agency that is expected to renew the casino's slot-machine license.
The state's gaming law requires casinos to go through the process every three years, said Richard McGarvey, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which regulates the
Presque Isle Downs will undergo the license renewal for the first time. Its local hearing will be May 3 at 10 a.m. at the Summit Township Building, 8900 Old French Road.
"The law says they have to be relicensed to ensure that they are still meeting requirements of the gaming act,'' McGarvey said.
Presque Isle Downs paid a one-time slots licensing fee of $50 million before it opened on Feb. 28, 2007. This time, it will have to pay only for the investigative costs of the license renewal, McGarvey said.
The PGCB's Bureau of Investigation Enforcement does an updated background check on the owners, managers and the facility. The BIE typically gives a report at the hearings.
The board uses a two-step process in the renewal process -- a hearing in the municipality where the casino operates and a public hearing before the board in Harrisburg.
At the hearing, the licensee is given the opportunity to demonstrate its good character; honesty and integrity; compliance with its statement of conditions for getting the license; tax revenue generated; jobs created; amenities added since the casino opened; success in carrying out its diversity plan; and involvement in the community.
Presque Isle Downs officials are expected to make a presentation at the hearing. Fred Buro, the casino's general manager, declined to comment until the hearing.
PGCB Hearing Officer Linda Lloyd and at least a couple of the board's commissioners are expected to listen to the testimony in Summit Township.
Licenses have been renewed for five of the state's 10 casinos that already had hearings. Those five are Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, near Wilkes-Barre; Parx Casino, in Bensalem; Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem; Hollywood Casino, at Penn National Racecourse, near Harrisburg; and Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack.
JOHN GUERRIERO can be reached at 870-1690 or by e-mail.
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