Philly's 2nd Casino License on Hold

State gaming board waits to accept new applications

The Pa. Gaming Control Board is still holding off on a decision about what to do with the second casino license currently slotted for Philadelphia.

Chairman William Ryan says the board met this week to discuss what to do with the license, which it revoked from a Foxwoods-led group in December 2010.

He says members decided to continue waiting for the Legislature and not begin accepting applications for the license now. The Legislature could decide to keep it in Philadelphia, rebid it statewide or kill it altogether. State Sen. Jane Earll, an Erie Republican, says there is no consensus on the issue.

Pennsylvania has 11 casinos. Three others remain in limbo: The second Philadelphia license, a license tied to a horse racing track and a “resort” license that was awarded but is being challenged in court.

The gaming board recently released gross revenue figures for May showing Philadelphia’s SugarHouse Casino had a nearly 9 percent increase over figures from a year ago, bringing in $16.4 million.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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