The state of Pennsylvania has been working on the launching of ten mini-casinos within the borders of the state and there was even a gambling expansion signed into law, but at the beginning of 2018, the situation seems to become clear. It recently became known that a big number of the municipalities do not agree with hosting a mini-casino and prohibit the construction of such gambling venues in their regions. The total number of municipalities which have decided to stay out of the project is 1,017.
When it comes to percentages, this makes for some 40 percent of all municipalities in the state of Pennsylvania and it seems like this is going to be the final number of municipalities opt against the casinos. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board considers this to be true since this Sunday saw the official deadline for informing the agency about their final decision. Most of the ones which do not want to have mini-casinos are counties located in southeastern and southcentral parts of the state of Pennsylvania. However, the full list is expected to be published once all resolutions are thoroughly read through.
All 60 of the municipalities in Lancaster County have voted to stay away from the construction which came as good news by Senators Ryan Aument and Scott Martin which are Republicans. These written decisions are expected to provide the authorities with a better perspective on the general willingness of the counties to welcome one of the mini-casinos which have been planned for the last several months. This will also highlight the places which consider it beneficial to host a gambling location. The authority is going to host an initial auction on 10th January which is when the first gaming license is going to be awarded.
Conditions Around the Mini-Casinos Location
As it could be recalled Category 1 and 2 casinos are able to submit sealed bids as well as an appointed location for the mini-casino where to be built. The state of Pennsylvania allowed the 11 largest casinos which possess a license for operation to participate in the auction as it was specified that the minimal amount which could be bid is $7.5 million. The bidder who reaches the largest amount of money will have the chance to build the first mini-casino. However, there is a condition which states that the gambling venue should not be within 25-miles range of a competing gaming facility.
This is the main reason why many of the municipalities have opted out of the arrangement since they are located within the said circles ranging 25 miles. There are also the six counties which are banned by the law, to the likings of Armstrong, Montgomery, Fayette, Carbon, Wayne, and Pike. Many municipalities are looking for ways to develop economically and a new casino could help with that. As it has been confirmed, the rest of the ten auctions for mini-casino licenses are going to be held through 16th May.
