New Castle racetrack overcomes another hurdle

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

News that the Pennsylvania Harness Commission has given the go-ahead for a racetrack and casino off U.S. Route 224 in Mahoning Township means the licensing process is half over, Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler said Friday.

He is hopeful the next stage of the process — getting a gaming license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board — will go just as well or faster.

“We’re very grateful to the Harness Commission,” Vogler said. “They’ve been very supportive for locating it in Lawrence County.”

Vogler said he was notified Friday by Roy Wilt of the harness commission that American Harness Tracks Inc., which wants to build the track and casino, has satisfied two requirements the commission set earlier this year.

The next step will be to apply to the Gaming Control Board. It has a larger staff than the harness commission, so it can review the application faster than the harness commission, Vogler said.

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