Gaming Board Sues Council Over Referendum

PHILADELPHIA-The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has a couple of busy months ahead. It has filed a suit with the State Supreme Court challenging an ordinance passed by the city council to put the location of the city’s two approved casino locations to a vote. In an unrelated matter, it has issued an update regarding eligibility for slots licenses at existing resorts and set April 20 as the opening day for applications.

In the court filing, PGCB asks for an emergency review of the city council’s ordinance, which, as GlobeSt.com previously reported, asks voters in the May 15 primary to decide on a change in the city charter that would prohibit casino development within 1,500 feet of a residence, school or certain other neighborhood properties. The PGCB suit petitions the court to remove the referendum from the ballot.

It cites portions of the state’s gaming act that give the board sole discretion over the location of slots facilities. It also charges, “the threatened operation of the ordinance causes harm on a statewide basis [and] the referendum has no legal effect because it addresses matters of statewide concern beyond the powers of the city council” under the state constitution.