‘Tis the season of Pennsylvania casinos undergoing license renewal hearings. Wind Creek and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course are in the process of theirs, and now it’s Presque Isle Downs & Casino’s turn.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) announced a license renewal date for the Erie property, which has been set for Sept. 25.
Doug Harbach, director of communications for the PGCB, confirmed to PlayPennyslvania on Friday that Presque Isle Downs & Casino has not technically been subject to a license renewal since 2015.
However, a change of control from Eldorado Resorts, Inc., to Churchill Downs in 2018 “reset” the renewal clock, as Harbach explained.
Presque Isle Downs & Casino license renewal process
Wind Creek and Hollywood Casino at PNRC have each went through Part One of the renewal process, which is supposed to take place every five years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the timeline back a year.
Presque Isle Downs must go through the same process as the aforementioned casinos. The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m., which will be held at the Summit Township Municipal Building in Erie.
The first part of the hearing is open to the public. Citizens, public officials and community groups can choose to speak or submit written testimony. A list of those individuals, or groups, will be provided by the PGCB before the start of the hearing.
Presque Isle Downs – which boasts bet365 Casino PA as a partner in the PA online casino space – will also make a presentation with updates since the last renewal hearing. PGCB members are also entitled to ask questions while Pennsylvania State Police and Bureaus of Investigations and Enforcement and Casino Compliance provide presentations, too.
Future PGCB meeting determines Presque Isle Downs’ fate
Harbach confirmed to PlayPennsylvania in June that no casino in the state has been denied a license renewal. However, that doesn’t mean properties should take this protocol lightly.
The second part of the process occurs at a future PGCB meeting. Members of the Board gather evidence from Part 1 and can ask additional questions.
The PGCB clearly explains the responsibility placed on Pennsylvania casinos that are in the middle of Part 2.
“The burden is on the renewal applicant to establish and demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, its eligibility and suitability for renewal of a gaming license,” the PGCB said in a press release.
“During the hearing, the renewal applicant will be given the opportunity to demonstrate, among other things, its good character, honesty and integrity; compliance with its statement of conditions; as well as provide evidence on tax revenue generated; jobs created; success in implementing its diversity plan; and involvement in the surrounding communities.”
The PGCB then comes to a vote and makes a decision on the status of Presque Isle Downs. If everything checks out, the next renewal hearing would be in 2029.
