Provided by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board:
Credit: Parx
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that it would hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 17, 2014 to gather evidence, including public comment, on the renewal of the casino license of Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, LLC., operator of Parx Casino in Bucks County.
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The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
Citizens, community groups and elected officials wishing to present oral or written testimony, which will become part of the evidentiary record in this matter, can now register by clicking on a special link on the Quick Links section of the homepage on the PGCB website, www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov. The deadline for registration to speak at the hearing is noon on Wednesday, July 16th.
Written comments can also be mailed, with a postmark no later than Tuesday, July 15th, to the PA Gaming Control Board, P.O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106, Attention: Board Secretary. The comments can be faxed prior to that deadline to 717-346-8350.
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Pursuant to section 1326 of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, all licenses shall be subject to renewal every three years. The renewal application must include an update of the information contained in the initial application.
To implement the renewal requirement, the Board utilizes a two-step process:
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First, the July 17th public hearing will be held before the Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals for the purpose of receiving documentary evidence, hearing testimony and building a record upon which the Board will base 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 public hearing in Harrisburg at a later yet-to-be-determined date where Board members can ask additional questions and the parties may offer oral argument. At the renewal hearings, the burden is on the renewal applicant to establish and demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, its eligibility and suitability for renewal of its license. During the hearing, the licensee will be given the opportunity to demonstrate, among other things, its good character, honesty and integrity; compliance with its statement of conditions; tax revenue generated; jobs created; amenities added since opening of the casino; success in implementing its diversity plan, and involvement in the surrounding community.
Following these proceedings, the Board will then be able to determine whether or not Greenwood Gaming’s licensee remains eligible and suitable consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth, and is otherwise qualified to have its license renewed for a three-year period.
