Casino license hearings scheduled

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said today that it scheduled hearings for four applicants vying for the second of two state licenses to run a resort casino with as many as 600 slot machines and 50 table games.

The 10 a.m. hearings, to be held in the municipalities where would-be operators want to locate a casino, are:

Aug. 30, Hampden Township, Cumberland County, regarding the application of Penn Harris Gaming L.P.

Aug. 31, Cumberland Township, Adams County, regarding Mason-Dixon Resorts L.P.

Sept. 2, Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, regarding Bushkill Group.

Sept. 8, Wharton Township, Fayette County, regarding Woodlands Fayette L.L.C. (Nemacolin).

The board said in a written statement that residents, community groups and elected officials wishing to present hearing testimony must register, and can do so by clicking on a link on the home page of the PGCB website at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

Those who cannot attend but want to submit written comments can do so up to 60 days following the hearing, using the same link.

Additional hearings will be scheduled for later in the year in Harrisburg, the board said.

The first of the state's "category 3" casino licenses was awarded to Valley Forge Resort Casino on April 8, 2009. That license is being challenged by the operator of the Parx casino in Bensalem, the board said.    - Reid Kanaley