Jan 18, 2006 10:01 ET

Pennsylvania Gaming Congress to Analyze Zoning and Land-Use Challenges

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- While 17 applicants dream of being awarded a Pennsylvania Category 2 gaming license, the five chosen licensees could face legal delays in their bid to actually develop a casino. The March 6-7 Pennsylvania Gaming Congress will analyze this issue in a special session titled "Siting the Casinos: Zoning and Land-Use Challenges."


The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared the zoning provisions of the 2004 gaming act unconstitutional. The result of the decision significantly limits the Gaming Control Board's control over the location of the five Category 2 casinos and could delay gaming revenues being received by the Commonwealth.


"We will examine the consequences of the Supreme Court decision and discuss what steps should be taken to correct the deficiencies in the state law. We will further provide an overview of the Pennsylvania land-use process and the practical implications of the Supreme Court's decision," said panel moderator Marc Brookman, chair of the Duane Morris LLP Real Estate practice and Co-chair of the firm's Gaming Industry practice.


Joining Mr. Brookman on panel are John B. Callahan, Mayor of the City of Bethlehem; Frederick Kraus, counsel for Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Paul Levy, co-chair of the Philadelphia Gaming Advisory Task Force and CEO of Philadelphia's Center City District.


The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress, expected to attract 500 gaming-related professionals nationwide, takes place at the Whitaker Center here. The conference theme is "At The Starting Gate," as racetrack slot-machine operations are expected to commence next year.


The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress opens with a cocktail reception. The following daylong conference includes a keynote address by Gaming Control Board Commissioner Mary DiGiocomo Colins, a panel discussion with all six known Pennsylvania racino operators, and a special workshop for prospective casino suppliers owned by minorities and women.


Building upon the large turnout for the first Pennsylvania Gaming Congress, the conference will take place in the 660-seat Sunoco Performance Theater and adjacent Kunkel Gallery lobby. The Whitaker Center is conveniently connected to the Harrisburg Hilton, which will accommodate the conference luncheon and overnight attendees.


The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress is produced by Spectrum Gaming Group (http://www.spectrumgaming.com/) and the Gaming Industry Observer (http://www.gamingobserver.com/). Sponsors include the Duane Morris law firm and Duane Morris Government Affairs, as well as A.C. Coin & Slot, Aristocrat Technologies, Bally Gaming and Systems, Cooper Levenson, Cope Linder Architects, Cyberview Technology, Ernst & Young, Gaming Industry Observer, Global Gaming Business Weekly, International Game Technology, JCM American, Jefferies & Co., Konami Gaming, Las Vegas Sands Corp., MEI, Radio PA Networks, SOSH Architects, Trump Entertainment Resorts, and WMS Gaming.


For sponsorship and conference information, email pgc@spectrumgaming.com . Visit http://www.pagamingcongress.com/ to view the complete agenda and to register for the conference.


Source: Spectrum Gaming Group

CONTACT: Joe Weinert, Spectrum Gaming Group, +1-609-652-6672


Web site: http://www.gamingobserver.com/


Web site: http://www.pagamingcongress.com/


Web site: http://www.spectrumgaming.com/

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