Golden Nugget submitted an application as a QGE (Qualified Gaming Entity) to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) shortly before the deadline closed on Oct. 31, according to an official announcement. That makes it the second applicant, with MGM Resorts being the first.
According to PGCB documentation, the luxury hotel and casino is interested in two permissions: for slots and for table games. In retrospect, MGM applied for all three (poker being the third).
That brings the count up to 5, out of the total of 11 remaining licenses, each one worth $4m. Being the only two applicants, both companies are likely to get exactly what they want.
Two Online Gambling Licenses Awarded
The Control Board awarded two online gambling licenses and approved three sports betting petitions of PA’s licensed operators during the institution’s latest monthly meeting, held on Oct. 31st. An interim approval was given to Churchill Downs-owned Presque Isle Downs (Erie) and to the yet-to-be-established Stadium Casino project (Philadelphia) - a Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment - Cordish Gaming joint venture. With those two newcomers, the number of PA’s approved online gambling operators now stands at nine.
The Stadium project is, however, facing some difficulties. Rumor has it that its makers would gladly retract the bid, but nothing definite has been disclosed about the matter. The joint venture representative who was present at the PGCB hearing said the project was “in a bit of a pickle” and asked the Board to alter its online application as to include only slots and table games.
The sports betting diplomas were awarded to Rivers Casino, SugarHouse Casino, and Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack operators.
Scientific Games will aid Harrah’s sportsbook attempts, while Rivers and SugarHouse will be assisted by Kambi.
Poker Licenses Out of Luck
That leaves four leftover online poker licenses and one each for table games and slots.
As regards poker, the outcome shouldn’t surprise anyone. Online poker has a long history of struggle in NJ alone, with average monthly revenue standing at less than $2m. State’s online poker is covered by seven sites, none of which are making any progress.
PGCB Fines
Not to look on the situation with rose-colored glasses, the PGCB also doled out some fines. “Some” translates into four, three of which were handed to casinos and one - to a table game manufacturer.
Harrah’s Philadelphia was fined $40k for two violations: improper record-keeping in Roulette Chip Discrepancy Logs and for allowing the operation of non-compliant slot machines.
Parx owner, Greenwood Gaming, was fined $22,500 for the total of three instances of operating progressive slots without the approval of the PGCB.
Presque Isle Downs was fined $45k for five incidents that saw underage individuals gain access to the casino, on which occasion they played table games and slots.
Last but not least, Genesis Gaming Solutions was fined $8k for having failed in submitting the annual financial statements for three years in a row.
Source:
“Golden Nugget Applies to Punch Its Golden Ticket for a PA Online Casino”, Jessica Welman, playpennsylvania.com, October 31st, 2018.
jade
5 years ago
When I read MGM Resort applied for all three and they said 4 million, I thought that was for all three licenses. Now I realize that each one is 4 million dollars! Now, that is the kind of information that should be relayed to all the other states that have not approved gambling in their state yet. It might be the...
When I read MGM Resort applied for all three and they said 4 million, I thought that was for all three licenses. Now I realize that each one is 4 million dollars! Now, that is the kind of information that should be relayed to all the other states that have not approved gambling in their state yet. It might be the one thing to sway them to consider, or reconsider approving gambling, just to get their hands on all that revenue. I knew that operators paid a lot in taxes, but I didn't realize how expensive it is, right out of the starting gate, (no pun intended) to establish a casino somewhere. I wonder if this is an average fee for a gambling license? No wonder I rarely win....................lol!
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DomLatVit
5 years ago
This means only the biggest of players can afford a PA online casino license, right?
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