PA Gaming Control Board Renews Slots License For Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today unanimously voted to renew the Category 1 slot machine operator's license of Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, operators of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

The seven member Board determined that Mountainview had fulfilled the obligations under its slot operator's license and therefore qualified to have its license renewed.

Today's decision was based on a process utilized by the Board that enables both the operator and the public to provide information relevant to the renewal decision.

A public input hearing was held for Mountainview on November 12, 2009 at the East Hanover Township Municipal Building. At the hearing, the Mountainview operators submitted exhibits and presented testimony that they have invested over $325 million in construction of the new grandstand and casino, and how the facility integrates the grandstand with the casino. Hollywood Casino currently maintains 2,377 slot machines on the gaming floor and intends to increase the number of slot machines to 2,500 in 2010.

At the hearing, testimony was received from the PA State Police, along with the Gaming Control Board's Office of Enforcement Counsel, Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, Auditing Bureau, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gaming, and Casino Compliance. Each testified as to Mountainview's performance since receiving its license.

In 2008, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course generated approximately $171 million in gross terminal revenue, with approximately $103.6 million going to gaming taxes and regulatory fees. In 2009, the casino generated approximately $237 million in gross terminal revenue, with approximately $139.8 million going to gaming taxes and regulatory fees. The casino currently employs 1,080 employees.

In addition to it slot machine gaming operation, the Board also received information on its horse race operation, finding that Mountainview spent approximately $2.5 million on improvements to the backside of the racing facility in 2008 and over $600,000 through June 2009. In addition, they plan to build three new barns in 2010. Mountainview also reported that purses have increased from $70,000 per day in 2007 to over $160,000 per day in 2009, and that Penn National Race Course has 200 racing dates scheduled for 2010.

The facility submitted for review their Diversity Plan and reported that approximately 12% of their employees are minorities and, additionally, 48.8% of their employees are female.

Mountainview also updated its Compulsive and Problem Gambling Plan and provided documentation that appropriate training and signage, regarding both problem gambling and firearm/weapon prohibitions, have been implemented.

A public hearing was held in Harrisburg today, January 8, 2010, to permit Board members to further question Mountainview representatives about any remaining issues prior to deciding on the renewal.

Additional information about the PA Gaming Control Board is available at its website, www.pgcb.state.pa.us. At that site, you can learn more about the Board's role in the oversight of legalized slot machine gaming in the Commonwealth and about the state's gaming casinos. In addition, visitors to the site can access information to assist those who may have a compulsive gambling problem, review agendas and transcripts of meetings and hearings, file complaints for investigation, retrieve revenue reports, and request a speaker for their organization.

CONTACT: Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey (717) 346-8321

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board