Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board sets hearing for Wind Creek Bethlehem licence renewal
05 June 2024 - 17:46The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has scheduled a public hearing to discuss the renewal of Wind Creek Bethlehem's Category 2 Slot Machine Operator License. The operator of Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino, located in Bethlehem, Northampton County, will have its fate decided at this event, set to take place on June 27 at Bethlehem City Hall.
According to the PGCB, the hearing welcomes input from citizens, public officials, and community groups either through spoken statements or written submissions. This open forum aims to gather perspectives on the renewal process. Interested parties must register by June 25 to participate.
In a related development, the PGCB has approved a consent agreement from its Office of Enforcement Counsel, resulting in a $125,000 fine for Wind Creek Bethlehem. The penalty addresses instances where individuals under 21 accessed the gaming floor, marking a serious breach of regulatory compliance.
The latest financial data from Pennsylvania's gaming sector reveals that in April, the industry generated $504.6 million in revenue. This figure reflects a 5.9% increase from April 2023, yet it represents a 10% decline from the previous month, which saw $554.6 million in revenue.
Breaking down the revenue sources, retail slots contributed $205.4 million, experiencing a modest 3.5% decrease compared to April 2023. The total number of slot machines in operation was 24,890, slightly down from 25,555 in the previous year. Online slot revenue surged by 31.8%, totaling $126 million, while sports betting revenue grew by 14.5% to $42.4 million. The total sports betting handle reached $646 million, up by 12.9% year-on-year, indicating robust activity in this segment of the market.