Official: gaming licenses by December

by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 7 March 2006) -- A top state gambling official says slots parlor licenses will be awarded soon.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Commissioner Mary Colins offered the update at the second annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress in Harrisburg.

"Our next goal is – which we have set for ourselves – is to in fact issue the 22 permanent licenses by the end of this year," Colins said.

Colins said “22…licenses,” but she seemed to mean 14. There are 14 licenses available for 22 applicants.

Colins said upcoming hearings across the state will comprise a large part of the body of evidence used to make decisions about where parlors will go.

Separately, there was talk early Tuesday that the state House would act Tuesday night on tweaks to the gaming law. They were pulled from the calendar by midday but are expected to be debated soon.