The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) will hold a public input hearing on August 16 in the municipality of College Township, Centre County, to consider an application made by SC Gaming Op Co. to operate a category 4 casino in the area.
Category 4 casinos were authorized after gambling expansion laws were passed by Pennsylvania legislators in 2017, allowing 10 so-called ‘satellite casino’ or ‘mini-casino’ licenses to be issued, in addition to categories 1, 2 and 3 licenses, which cover racinos, stand-alone casinos and resort casinos.
Category 4 casinos may operate anywhere from 300 to 750 slot machines, and up to 30 table games. Such properties may add 10 more tables games after their first year of operation.
The hearing on August 16 will allow individuals to voice their support or opposition to the proposed casino, and allow those with an interest in the proposal to learn more about the project
A page on the PGCB’s website will be made available from July 21 with additional information on the project, and a link allowing citizens, public officials and community groups to choose to speak at the hearing in person or remotely, or submit written testimony.
The deadline for registration to speak or submit written testimony is August 12, and a separate public hearing will be held at a later date in Harrisburg, where SC Gaming Op Co. representatives and the PGCB’s office of enforcement counsel will offer updated evidence and provide arguments as to whether the license should be granted.
In September last year, a category 4 license was offered to former owner of the Valley Forge Casino Resort, Ira Lubert, to operate a satellite casino in Unionville Borough, which is also in Centre County.
Bally’s announced in January that it would work with Lubert to expand its operations into Pennsylvania by jointly developing the new category 4 land-based venue, and launching sports betting and igaming in the state.