The press has not paid much attention to slots gambling recently and has focused all the attention in the development of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Perhaps, it is time to devote some time to the progress of slots gambling in recent months. Actually, the Board has already opened its offices throughout the state, and are now fully into gaming licenses requested by applicants, being the deadline for these applications tomorrow. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that until now twenty applicants have requested licenses for casinos, hotel resorts and racetracks.
Racetrack licenses will not take so much time, as long as applicants demonstrate they own a racing rack. However, since in Pennsylvania the license for a racetrack includes the right to have a slots parlor, there are many applicants ready to build a racetrack. So far, the state Harness Racing Commission has rejected two projects in Lawrence and Beaver counties.
As for casino licenses, competition becomes wilder among applicants. Up until now, 7 applicants have requested licenses in Pittsburgh, 3 more applied in Philadelphia, and the two remaining do not demand any geographical restrictions. The state will allow fourteen licenses to print money. Philadelphia 76ers has a slots proposal, supported by Donald Trump. Ed Rendell plans to build a casino in Montgomery County, and Joe Hardy, a commissioner in Fayette County, along with William DeWeese, applied for a license to build a resort in Nemacolin Woodlands. The Pittsburgh Penguins want to fund their new arena with slots money. Applications in Lancaster and Gettysburg are facing strong opposition from residents.