Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Renews License For The Sugar House Casino

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted on Thursday, October 13^th, to renew the casino operator’s license of the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia. This is the category 2 casino operator’s license of HSP gaming, and was renewed after determining that HSP gaming has fulfilled all the obligations. Since it has fulfilled all the obligations under its initial license, it is qualified to have the license renewed. Renewal holds good for a three-year period.

Operator and Public are Involved in the Process

The Board utilizes the process that enables both the operator and the public to provide information relevant to renewal of the decision. On June 16, 2011, the public input hearing was held for HSP gaming at the Pennsylvania convention center in Philadelphia. In this hearing, the licensee submitted relevant material on various aspects of the operation of the casino SugarHouse. The operations of this casino since its opening to public in September 2010 were reviewed.

The Board also reviewed testimony received at the hearing from local government officials, PA state police, gaming board’s office of enforcement counsel, Office of Compulsive and Problem gambling, Bureau of investigations and enforcements and casino compliance. Each of these authorities testified HSP Gaming’s performance since it was given the initial license to the operator. Whether they have adhered to the rules and regulations, paid up the taxes and fees on time, have the required security and safety features or not, were discussed and reviewed.

A public hearing was also held in Harrisburg prior to this meeting on October 13^th, where the Board members were permitted to question the representatives of HSP Gaming regarding any remaining issues. This was done prior to the voting, the HSP gaming representatives provided a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting, and this presentation is available on the Board’s website www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.

Some Information About the Board

Established in 2004, with the passage Act 71, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has the task to oversee all aspects of the state’s casino industry. The ten casinos in operation in the state employ almost 15,000 people.

Since the operation of the first casino in November 2006, the legalized slot machines and games tables have generated $5.4 billion in tax and license fee revenue. A portion of this tax money is helping to reduce property tax for all homeowners in Pennsylvania. Also it provides funding for the Commonwealth’s horse racing industry, grants for fire companies, water/sewer projects and other important projects.

On the official website of the Gaming control Board, information about identifying gambling problems, gaining assistance, past meeting transcripts, interactive map of casino locations and much more information is available.

The SugarHouse casino has generated approximately $168 million in gross revenue during its first year of operation in slot machines; another $65 million of gross revenue was generated through the play of table games. Total tax revenue returned to the Commonwealth from the combined revenue of slot machines and tables is around $103 million. The casino has also paid $66.5 million as fees for its slot machines and table games license, to the Commonwealth. The employment at SugarHouse casino was 1,090 persons through the second quarter of 2011.Looking at these factors, their contribution to tax and employment, adhering to rules and such factors, the SugarHouse casino has been given renewed casino operating license.