First slot licenses could be as early as December

Friday, March 4, 2005 | 9:14 a.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Members of the state gambling board said Thursday they hope to issue the first slot-machine licenses to racetracks by as early as December, meaning that parlors could be up and running by the end of 2006.

The state Gaming Control Board will have to complete major tasks before then, such as writing the regulations to govern the licensing process, and hiring most of the board's staff, including an executive director.

By law, the board must first issue licenses to slot-machine manufacturers and distributors and casino suppliers at least three months before it can issue the licenses to racetracks.

If the board can license manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in September, as planned, it could issue the first slots licenses in December, members said.

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