Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board renews Presque Isle Downs and Casino licence
The licence has been renewed for a five-year period.
US.- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has unanimously voted to renew the Category 1 horse track casino licence of PID, LLC, operator of Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie County. The licence has been renewed for a five-year period.
A public hearing was held in September 2024 in the casino’s host municipality, Summit Township, where personnel of the casino presented information on various aspects of the facility’s operation. The public also provided testimony.
During the process, the board received information from state and local government officials, community groups and the PA State Police, the Gaming Control Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel, Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gaming, and Bureau of Casino Compliance. A public hearing was held to permit board members to further question representatives from the casino and parent company Churchill Downs.
In May, the board tabled a vote on the licence renewal as it sought additional information on the financial health of the casino after public comments from its general manager indicated the venue could close in the near future due to financial issues.
Board chair Denise Smyler said: “The board has taken a very close look at this licence renewal, and we would first like to thank the efforts of board staff – particularly, the Financial Investigations Unit, within the Bureau of Investigations, and the Office of Enforcement Counsel – for providing us with the tools and information which allowed us to perform a detailed analysis.
“We realize that conducting such a thorough and detailed review, which we were obligated to do – may have been a little disconcerting to the people of Erie, particularly the good people that work at Presque Isle Downs, Presque Isle suppliers and its patrons. What I would like to say to those people is that the board is renewing this licence for 5 years, and while there will be conditions on Presque Isle Downs requiring ongoing monitoring by the board, we are confident that Presque Isle Downs, with the financial support of Churchill Downs behind it, will continue to be open and, with ongoing modifications, we are hopeful will once again thrive. Certainly, the board is going to take whatever steps it can to help make that happen.”
Since opening in February 2007, the casino has generated $2.52bn in gross revenue and $1.52bn in tax revenue, assessments and fees, according to the PGCB. It operates 1,525 slot machines and 31 table games and has 482 employees.
Combined gaming revenue in Pennsylvania during the fiscal year 2024/2025 reached a record $6.4bn. This figure consists of the revenue from casino slot machines and table games, igaming, sports wagering, video gaming terminals (VGTs) and fantasy sports contests.
The total surpasses the previous high of $5.8bn in 2023/2024. The resulting tax revenue for 2024/2025 was $2.7bn, up from $2.54bn.
