PGCB Sets Public Hearings for Two Casino License Renewals

Valley Forge Casino Resort and Rivers Casino Philadelphia will have public hearings on their license renewals next month. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has announced the meetings will take place on April 26 for Rivers Casino and April 27 for Valley Forge Casino.

Citizens, public officials, and community groups can choose to speak or submit written testimony to the meetings. The hearings are open to the public and will also be live-streamed from the board’s website.

At the respective meetings, the regulator is set to take public comment on the renewal of the Slot Machine Operator license for Category 3 licensee Valley Forge Convention Center Partner, operator of the Valley Forge Casino Resort in Montgomery County; and on the renewal of the Slot Machine Operator license for Category 2 licensee Sugarhouse HSP Gaming, operator of Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

The Rivers Casino Philadelphia meeting will be held at 3 pm on April 26 at SEPTA, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia. The Valley Forge Casino Resort public hearing will take place on April 27 at 10.30 am at Upper Merion Township Building, 175 West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia.

Renewals involve a two-step process. First, a public hearing is held before the director of the PGCB’s Office of Hearings and Appeals for the purpose of receiving documentary evidence, hearing testimony, and building a record which 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 a later public hearing in Harrisburg where representatives of the casino licensee will offer evidence and oral arguments. At that time, the board members can ask additional questions. After this, the Board will determine whether the licensee is eligible to have their license renewed for a five-year period.