Pennsylvania Gaming Board Launches Public Comment Period

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today launched a month-long public-comment period on draft regulations governing Category 2 and Category 3 gaming facilities and the Board's Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement.

"Act 71 gives the Board the 'power and duty' to adopt the regulations necessary to bring expanded gaming to Pennsylvania and ensure its integrity," said Board Chairman Tad Decker. "With each set of regulations we develop, we move a step closer to the day when expanded gaming can begin in the Commonwealth."

Board member Mary Colins, who oversees regulatory issues for the Board, said the draft regulations cover:

-- Specific requirements for the operators of five stand alone gaming facilities, known as "Category 2" operators under Act 71.

-- Specific requirements for operators of gaming facilities attached to two existing resorts, known as "Category 3" operators under Act 71.

-- Operations and procedures for the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement.

The draft regulations will be available for public inspection on the Board's Web site and people wishing to purchase a hard copy for review may do so by sending a certified check for $10 to cover copying, staff time and return postage, to PGCB, P.O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA, 17106-9060. Checks should be made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and requests should specify that the purchaser is seeking the draft regulations covering Category 2 operators, Category 3 operators and the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement.

The draft regulations will also be published in the August 13, 2005, edition of The Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Comments on the draft regulations must submitted by U.S. mail only, with postmarks no later than Tuesday September 6, 2005, to PGCB, P.O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA, 17106-9060, Attn: Public Comment.

To be included in the public record, comments must include the following information: name, organization represented (if appropriate), mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, county, topic/regulation section number discussed, Colins said. The mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address are for verification purposes only and will not be published in the final record.

Colins also noted that submissions may be excluded from the final record if they do not address the topics covered by the draft regulations.

After the comment period closes, the Board will make the complete record of comments and Board responses available to interested parties via the Board Web site.