The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has granted unanimous approval for the renewal of the Category 1 horse track casino license to PID, LLC, the organization behind Presque Isle Downs and Casino located in Erie County, thereby extending the license for an additional five years.
This decision by the board comes after an in-depth review process, affirming that PID, LLC has met the requirements of its previous license. The renewal process involved public hearings for community input, presentations from casino officials, and assessments conducted by local and state authorities.
A public hearing was conducted in September 2024 in Summit Township, where the casino is situated. During this session, staff from Presque Isle Downs provided evidence and shared testimonials detailing the operations of the facility since its prior license renewal. The public was also encouraged to voice their opinions regarding the casino’s community impact.
Furthermore, feedback was collected from local and state government entities, community organizations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and various divisions of the PGCB including the Office of Enforcement Counsel, Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gaming, and Bureau of Casino Compliance.
A follow-up public hearing happened in Harrisburg in May 2025 and is ongoing, enabling board members to probe representatives from Presque Isle Downs and its parent company, Churchill Downs, about financial and operational issues. The vote for the license renewal was deferred in May due to concerns regarding the casino’s financial adequacy, sparked by statements from the general manager hinting at a possible shutdown.
PGCB Chair Denise Smyler expressed confidence in the license renewal following an extensive financial examination, reassuring stakeholders of the casino’s ongoing operations. She highlighted that the board’s staff, comprising the Financial Investigations Unit and the Office of Enforcement Counsel, provided robust analysis and resources for the review.
Smyler acknowledged that the exhaustive process may have raised concerns for staff, suppliers, and patrons, however, she conveyed that the renewal guarantees the casino’s continued operation for the next five years.
“We are optimistic that Presque Isle Downs, fortified by Churchill Downs, will continue to operate successfully, and with ongoing improvements will regain its former prosperity,” she added. “The Board is committed to facilitating this success.”
Since its inception in February 2007, Presque Isle Downs and Casino has amassed a remarkable $2.52 billion in gross revenue from slot machines, table games, sports betting, and online gaming, with $1.52 billion returned to the Commonwealth through taxes, assessments, and fees. Currently, the casino operates 1,525 slot machines and 31 table games, employing a total of 482 individuals.