Gaming Control Board Awards Two Law Enforcement Grants

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today approved two grant requests totaling $177,488 to law enforcement agencies to fund programs designed to thwart illegal gambling in the Commonwealth.

These were the fourth and fifth awards approved by the Board under the Law Enforcement Grant Program since the program was amended by the state legislature in January of this year.  Grants approved today went to the:

• Armstrong County District Attorney - $33,488
• Washington County District Attorney - $144,000

Under the program, the PGCB is authorized to award up to $2 million annually in grants to local law enforcement agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police for the purpose of investigating, enforcing and preventing unlawful gambling in the Commonwealth.  A maximum award of $150,000 may be sought by any single local law enforcement agency and a maximum award of $250,000 may be sought by the State Police.  Grant funds may be used for the purpose of attending or conducting education and training events, defraying costs associated with investigations, prevention, deterrence or enforcement of laws related to illegal gambling, or the prosecution of crimes involving illegal gambling.

In September, the Board awarded three grants totaling $315,760 to two local police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police.

The funding comes solely from gaming revenues generated from licensed casinos.

About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board was established in 2004 with the passage of Act 71, also known as the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act.  Pennsylvania's first new state agency in nearly 40 years, the Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of the state's casino industry.  With ten casinos in operation, legalized stand alone and horse racetrack casinos employ over 14,000 persons, while gaming revenue has provided property tax reduction in each of the past three years for all homeowners.  In addition, tax revenue from the play of slot machines has reinvigorated Pennsylvania's horse racing industry and funded scores of community projects.  A wealth of information about the Gaming Control Board and Pennsylvania's gaming industry can be found at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.  At this web site, visitors can view videos of Board meetings and on the operation of the PGCB, obtain  information on identifying a gambling problem and gaining assistance, look up future meeting schedules and past meeting transcripts, access an interactive map of casino locations, request a speaker for their group, along with much more information.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

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