Pennsylvania regulator to hold hearing for Harrah's Philadelphia Casino license renewal

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to take public comment on the renewal of the Category 1 Slot Machine Operator's license for Harrah's Chester Downs and Marina, LLC, operator of Harrah's Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack in Delaware County.

The hearing will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Chester City Hall, 1 E. Fourth Street, in Chester, Pennsylvania. The deadline for registration to speak or submit written testimony is noon on Monday, June 28.

Citizens, public officials, and community groups that choose to speak at this hearing or submit written testimony can enter the board’s website to register.

Pursuant to Section 1326 of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, all licenses are subject to periodic renewal. The renewal application must include an update of the information since its last renewal.

To implement the renewal requirement, the board utilizes a two-step process. First, the public hearing on June 30 will be held before the Director of the PGCB's Office of Hearings and Appeals for the purpose of receiving documentary evidence, hearing testimony and building a record which the board will use in its licensing decision. The hearing record, along with a report from the Director of Hearings and Appeals, will be transmitted to the board.

The second step is to hold a separate public hearing in Harrisburg at a later date where Harrah's Chester Downs and Marina, LLC representatives will offer evidence and oral arguments. At that time, the board members can ask additional questions.

At the renewal hearing, the burden is on the renewal applicant to establish and demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, its eligibility and suitability for renewal of the gaming license. During the hearings, 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; tax revenue generated; jobs created; success in implementing its diversity plan; and involvement in the surrounding communities.

Following these proceedings, the board will then be able to determine whether the licensee remains eligible and suitable consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth and are otherwise qualified to have the license renewed for a five-year period.