The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has set dates to hold public hearings on license renewal of Hollywood Casino At the Meadows, and Rivers Casino Pittsburgh. The hearings will be held on March 15 and March 16, respectively.
During the meetings, the regulator is set to take public comment on the renewal of the Slot Machine Operator license for Category 1 licensee Washington Trotting Association, LLC, operator of Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Washington County; and on the renewal of the Slot Machine Operator license for Category 2 licensee Holdings Acquisition Co., LP, operator of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh in Allegheny County.
The public hearing for Hollywood Casino At the Meadows is set to begin at 3:00 p.m., and will be held at The North Strabane Township Fire Department, Station #2, 1032 Route 519 Eighty-Four, PA15330. Meanwhile, the Rivers Casino Pittsburgh meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. and be held at The Allegheny County Courthouse, Gold Room #410 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA15219.
According to the Gaming Control Board, citizens, public officials and community groups can choose to speak or submit written testimony for the hearings. The meetings are open to the public and will also be live-streamed from the Board’s website. A listing of all government officials, community groups and individuals who have registered to speak at the hearings will be posted on the Board’s website beginning a week prior to the hearings and updated daily.
Pursuant to Section 1326 of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, all licenses are subject to periodic renewal. The application must include an update of the information since the last renewal.
In order to implement the renewal requirement, the Board utilizes a two-step process, which begins with a public input hearing held before the Director of the PGCB’s Office of Hearings and Appeals for the purpose of receiving documentary evidence, hearing testimony, and building a record which the Board will use in its licensing decision.
Afterward, a second separate public hearing is carried out in Harrisburg “at a later date” where representatives of the casino licensee will offer evidence and oral arguments. At that time, Board members can ask additional questions.
The burden is on the renewal applicant to establish and demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, “its eligibility and suitability for renewal of a gaming license,” the regulator explains. During the hearing, the renewal applicant will be given the opportunity to demonstrate, among other things, its good character, honesty and integrity; and compliance with its statement of conditions.
The applicant is also expected to provide evidence on tax revenue generated; jobs created; success in implementing its diversity plan; and involvement in the surrounding communities, according to a press statement.
Following this proceeding, the Board will ultimately determine whether the licensee remains eligible and suitable consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and are otherwise qualified to have the license renewed for a five-year period.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees all aspects of gambling, involving 16 land-based casinos in the state: six racetrack (Category 1) casinos, five stand-alone (Category 2) casinos, two resort (Category 3) casinos and three mini-casinos (Category 4). Expansion is set to continue over the next couple of years, with the anticipated openings of up to two additional Category 4 casinos.
Recently-rebranded Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, formerly known as The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, is operated by Penn National, which first took over the facility in 2019. It has more than 2,500 slot machines, over 65 table games, and a poker room with 14 tables. Its current sportsbook will be rebranded to a Barstool Sportsbook this year.
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh is owned by Holdings Acquisition Co. L.P., a joint venture of Walton Street Capital LLC and High Pitt Gaming LP. It opened in 2009 and features over 2,400 slot games, a variety of casino table games, a poker room, and a BetRivers Sportsbook. It also has a “Rush Table Zone,” which offers live entertainment through 55 electronic table games with touch screens, featuring Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat.
