Foxwoods not on Friday’s PGCB agenda

Foxwood Casino’s fate won’t be considered at this Friday’s Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Meeting.

When the casino was given a two-year extension to get slots up and running at its South Philadelphia site last year, the state gaming control board attached some conditions. Among them: The casino had to turn in detailed site plans by Dec. 1.

That didn’t happen. Instead, in late November, Foxwoods asked the Board for an extension on this condition. Foxwoods said it could have this information to the Board by March 1, when extensive information about how the casino project would be funded is also due. The PGCB will have to make this decision at a public meeting, and Friday’s is the first since the casino asked for more time. But PGCB spokesman Doug Harbach said the matter is not on Friday’s agenda.

A flurry of responses have been filed on all sides of the issue since Foxwoods made its request. In mid-December, the board’s own enforcement arm said that the missed deadline means the board is now authorized to revoke the casino’s license – something a cadre of local state lawmakers has also urged the board to do.

Foxwoods has told the board it has valid reasons for needing the extension.  Foxwoods’ attorneys have argued that drawings are dependent on the sources and types of funding the casino receives, and also on whether the state legislature approved table games. That debate continues in the legislature.

The Gaming Control Board has another meeting scheduled for Jan. 27. The Board could also call a special meeting to review Foxwoods’ extension petition.

Posted by Kellie Patrick Gates

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