Auctions For Pa Mini-Casino Licenses Set; Dozens of Local Municipalities Opt Out
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Dozens of local municipalities are deciding to say "no" to mini-casinos authorized by a new state gaming law. Meanwhile, the auctions of those satellite casinos are set to begin next month.
Pennsylvania's existing, full-size casinos will have the first crack at ten mini-casino, or Category 4, licenses. The license auctions will be held one-by-one, starting in January and running through May.
Gaming Control Board spokesman Doug Harbach says that's because given the restrictions on mini-casino locations, and the number of municipalities opting-out, the map of locations will have to be drawn one piece at a time.
Hard Rock Casino Training Youths For Rare Opportunity
"Yes, there will be a modification to the availability in Pennsylvania of locations that could have a Category 4 casino based on each auction and what area has been obtained," he said.
The minimum bid is $7.5 million to operate up to 750 slot machines and buy a separate certificate to operate up to 30 table games.
A winning bidder's selected location also will be revealed at the auction.
Click here for a list of municipalities that have opted out of hosting satellite casinos.