Issue 254
July 25 - July 31, 2005
Volume 5
page 2
 

Tribal casino success spawns hotel growth
As Reported by CITIZEN-TIMES.com

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Thursday approved a set of regulations to govern casinos at horse-racing tracks, a step toward accepting applications for some of the 14 slots-only casinos as early as September.
Board member Mary DiGiacomo Colins, who led the group that drafted the rules, said regulations for the other two categories of casino - stand-alone parlors and resorts - are likely to be completed shortly and put out for comment, and could be adopted in September.

"My sense is there's enormous interest and my sense is that we'll get ample applications, and the applications will be substantial in size and content. It'll be a challenge," she said.

The law calls for applications for all three types of casinos to be accepted at the same time, but provides an exception for temporary licenses that will allow race tracks to begin operating earlier.

Board spokesman Nick Hays said that September is the earliest that applications for those temporary licenses might be taken, and the board will begin accepting applications for the other types of licenses sometime after that.

The seven racetrack licenses are slated for existing or planned tracks, but the field for the five stand-alone parlor licenses and two resort licenses is wide open. Colins said she assumes at least 10 entities will compete for stand-alone rights and that there also will be competition among resorts.

Once the board has determined that all applications are complete, it has just 12 months to award all the nonconditional licenses.

The regulations were adopted following a public-comment period that generated 18 responses. As a result of public input, they were revised to add elements to a section on how the casinos must address gambling addiction, including the posting of a public hot line number inside the facilities and limits on check cashing.

The state's gambling law allows the board to adopt "temporary regulations" for its first two years, a streamlined procedure that bypasses the regulatory review process normally required in Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

Magna Entertainment Corp. Announces Preliminary Approval by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission on the Application of Remington Park, Inc. for a Racetrack Gaming Operator's Licens Press Release

AURORA, Ontario - Magna Entertainment Corp. is pleased to report that on Thursday, July 21, 2005, the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (the "Commission") took preliminary action to grant a conditional racetrack gaming operator's license to its subsidiary, Remington Park, Inc. Formal approval of the conditional license is expected to occur at the Commission's next meeting, which is scheduled for August 11, 2005, when it will consider the terms and conditions of an order that Commission staff has been instructed to prepare.

Legislation was enacted by public referendum in November 2004 allowing Remington Park, Inc. to operate 650 gaming machines subject to approval of the Commission. It is anticipated that the gaming facility will improve Remington Park's business results and help support the horse industry through increased purses.
In announcing the Commission's decision, MEC President and CEO, Tom Hodgson commented: "We are pleased to announce this important development, as it reflects a critical step in our effort to bring alternative gaming and the prospect of increased profitability to Remington Park. We look forward to continuing to work with the regulators, horsemen and the people of Oklahoma as we seek to bring alternative gaming to Remington Park before the end of 2005."

Paragon Casino announces major expansion
As Reported by KATC.com

MARKSVILLE, Louisiana - Officials with the Paragon Casino and Resort in Marksville announced today a 100 (m) million dollar expansion that includes a bigger entertainment convention center and a new hotel.

Construction should begin in August. Officials say it will take about 18 months to finish.

The new hotel will be eight stories with 205 rooms, including 25 suites. The hotel also will include an indoor swimming pool and spa.

The new entertainment and convention venue will have 25-hundred seats. The current center can seat 16-hundred people.
The casino will double in size to about one (m) million square feet.

There will be an eight-thousand-square-foot ballroom capable of seating 500 people for banquets or meetings and a three-level parking garage that can accommodate 800 vehicles.
Paragon is owned by the Tunica-Biloxi tribe.

Seal

The Mirage : Grammy Award-winning artist Seal performs at the Mirage August 19 and 20. The British singer fuses soul, folk, pop, dance and rock earning him a global following and multi-platinum record sales.

Date: August 19 & 20

Time: 9:00pm

Ticket Price: $75 & $100

For more information please call: 702-796-9999
 
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