The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has announced a hearing on Thursday, June 27, 2024, to take public comment on the renewal of the Category 2 Slot Machine Operator License for Wind Creek Bethlehem, LLC, operator of the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino in the city of Bethlehem, Northampton County.
The hearing will begin at 10:30 AM and be held at the Bethlehem City Hall located at 10 E. Church St. Citizens, public officials, and community groups can choose to speak or submit written testimony. The hearing is open to the public.
Individuals wishing to provide in-person or written testimony should visit the Board’s website, gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov, and choose the special link on the homepage in the “PGCB Meetings” section for more information and registration.
Persons wishing to provide comments will need to register ahead of time. The deadline for registration to speak or submit written testimony is noon on Tuesday, June 25th.
A listing of all government officials, community groups, and individuals who have registered to speak at the hearing will be posted on the Board’s website beginning the week prior to the hearing and updated daily.
“Pursuant to Section 1326 of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, all licenses are subject to periodic renewal,” the board informed. “The renewal application must include an update of the information since its last renewal.”
To implement a renewal requirement, the Board utilizes a two-step process:
First, a public input hearing is held in the municipality where the casino operates before the Director of the Board’s Office of Hearings and Appeals to receive documentary evidence, hear testimony, and build a record that the Board will use in its licensing decision.
The second step is to hold a separate public hearing in Harrisburg at a later date where representatives of the casino licensee will offer evidence and oral arguments. At that time, the 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.
During the hearing, the renewal applicant will be given the opportunity to demonstrate, among other things, its good character, honesty, and integrity; compliance with its statement of conditions; as well as provide evidence on tax revenue generated; jobs created; success in implementing its diversity plan; and involvement in the surrounding communities.
Following this proceeding, the Board will ultimately determine whether the licensee remains eligible and suitably consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and is otherwise qualified to have the license renewed for a five-year period.
