HARRISBURG, AUGUST 16, 2004 – The development of slot machine gaming in Pennsylvania will provide significant opportunities for women and minority owned businesses, and state officials will provide a roadmap to success, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione said today.

     Tartaglione urged interested parties to mark their calendars for a state-sponsored forum on how to participate in the economic benefits of expanded gaming.

     “Slot machine gaming will provide tremendous opportunity in spin-off businesses,” Tartaglione said. “For those entrepreneurs who might need some guidance on how to participate, the slots law provides help.”

     Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board will host an all-day Gaming Diversity Forum on the campus of Temple University on Sept. 29.

     “The board has lined up experts and state officials familiar with the process who can provide critical information that can help make Pennsylvania’s gaming industry as diverse as the Commonwealth it serves,” Tartaglione said.

     Under Act 71, Pennsylvania’s gaming law, two stand-alone slots licenses will be granted to Philadelphia facilities, along with machines at Philadelphia Park racetrack.  The law also requires that the state take steps to ensure participation by women and minorities.  

     The gaming board will hold a similar forum in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27.

     For more information on the forum, and a tentative agenda go to http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/press/pr_080405_1.HTM .