The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has rescheduled for July 31 a canceled hearing to take public comment on renewing the Category 2 Slot Machine Operator License for the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino.
The hearing begins at 10:30 AM and will be held at the Bethlehem City Hall at the Town Hall Rotunda Building located at 10 E. Church Street.
A severe storm that knocked out electricity at Bethlehem City Hall forced the cancellation of the previously scheduled hearing on June 26th. Citizens, public officials, and community groups can choose to speak or submit written testimony. The hearing is open to the public.
Individuals who wish 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 Monday, July 29th.
A listing of all government officials, community groups, and individuals who have registered to speak at this 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 the 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 for the purpose of receiving documentary evidence, hearing testimony, and building a record that the Board will use in its licensing decision. The hearing record, along with a report from the Director of Hearings and Appeals, will be transmitted to the Board.
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.
