Pennsylvania’s Springettsbury Township is preparing to possibly alter zoning laws to prevent a possible mini-casino to be operated by Penn National gaming under the operator’s new license to operate one of 10 satellite “mini-casinos” authorized under the gaming expansion law signed by Governor Tom Wolf in November.
Springettsbury Township is within a 15-mile radius of Yoe, which puts it within the zone where Penn National is authorized to locate one of the satellite facilities, which can offer up to 750 slot machines and 30 table games.
According to a report in the York Dispatch, township board supervisors were to meet last Thursday to consider using zoning rules to prevent possible casino locations throughout Springettsbury’s boundaries.
“Penn National has selected an area within a 15-mile radius of Yoe Borough for the location of a category 4 casino,” Township Manager Ben Marchant said. “They are in the process of looking for a site. Springettsbury Township falls within this area of their search. The township has no plans for a casino at this time.”
The township is currently among a list of 38 York County municipalities that voted to opt out of the mini-casino provision. Marchant said the township is interested in amending zoning rules in the event that the state legislature “could pre-empt municipal authority in the permitting and sitting of casinos in the future.”
Pennsylvania State Gaming Board rescheduled the third of 10 auctions for mini-casino licenses last week due to inclement weather. The auction was to be held Thursday, February 8.
