As reported by: The Day
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, as expected, gave the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority permission Wednesday to operate slot machines at its racetrack in Plains Township, Pa.
The Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs' slot parlor is expected to be open by the end of the year, track officials have said. The project, part of the Mohegan Tribe's efforts to diversify beyond southeastern Connecticut, will initially house 1,080 games.

“We're very thrilled to have this process over,” said Mitchell Etess, the Mohegan Sun's president and chief executive officer. “It's certainly a great day for everybody here, and we are excited about moving forward.”

State gaming regulators approved conditional licenses for four other harness and thoroughbred tracks seeking to offer slot machines to their patrons. The state will ultimately award 14 slot-machine licenses across the Keystone State under a 2004 law.

Tad Decker, the chairman of the state gaming control board, said Wednesday was “an historic day for the people of Pennsylvania.” He said the proposed slot parlors will help lower property taxes, create new jobs and reinvigorate the horse-racing industry.

The other tracks to win licenses were Chester Downs in Chester County; Philadelphia Park in Bucks County; Penn National in Dauphin County and The Meadows in Washington County, the gaming control board said. A vote on a sixth application, from Presque Isle Downs in Erie County, was delayed so board members could have further time to review it.


Article By: The Day