HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – (PRESS RELEASE) -- While 17 applicants dream of
being awarded a Pennsylvania Category 2 gaming license, the five chosen
licensees could face legal delays in their bid to actually develop a casino.
The March 6-7 Pennsylvania Gaming Congress will analyze this issue in a
special session titled "Siting the Casinos: Zoning and Land-Use Challenges."
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared the zoning provisions of the 2004
gaming act unconstitutional. The result of the decision significantly limits
the Gaming Control Board's control over the location of the five Category 2
casinos and could delay gaming revenues being received by the Commonwealth.
"We will examine the consequences of the Supreme Court decision and
discuss what steps should be taken to correct the deficiencies in the state
law. We will further provide an overview of the Pennsylvania land-use process
and the practical implications of the Supreme Court's decision," said panel
moderator Marc Brookman, chair of the Duane Morris LLP Real Estate practice
and Co-chair of the firm's Gaming Industry practice.
Joining Mr. Brookman on panel are John B. Callahan, Mayor of the City of
Bethlehem; Frederick Kraus, counsel for Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Paul Levy,
co-chair of the Philadelphia Gaming Advisory Task Force and CEO of
Philadelphia's Center City District.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress, expected to attract 500 gaming-related
professionals nationwide, takes place at the Whitaker Center here. The
conference theme is "At The Starting Gate," as racetrack slot-machine
operations are expected to commence next year.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress opens with a cocktail reception. The
following daylong conference includes a keynote address by Gaming Control
Board Commissioner Mary DiGiocomo Colins, a panel discussion with all six
known Pennsylvania racino operators, and a special workshop for prospective
casino suppliers owned by minorities and women.
Building upon the large turnout for the first Pennsylvania Gaming
Congress, the conference will take place in the 660-seat Sunoco Performance
Theater and adjacent Kunkel Gallery lobby. The Whitaker Center is conveniently
connected to the Harrisburg Hilton, which will accommodate the conference
luncheon and overnight attendees.