The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has granted conditional approval to three Mercer County businesses whose owners want to install video gaming terminals.

Conditional approval has been given to 43 truck stops around the state including the Tic Tock Food Mart, 4195 E. State Street, Hermitage; Petro Plus gas station, 3270 Saranac Drive, Sharpsville; and Leo Mart, 854 Perry Highway, Mercer.

The conditional licenses are granted to applicants who have never been convicted of a felony or gambling violations. Final licenses will be considered once it is determined that applicants meet eligibility requirements and state officials conduct site inspections.

Installation of VGT's at truck stops was made possible when state lawmakers expanded Act 42 of 2017 to also allow for the creation of satellite casinos, interactive gaming, airport gaming, iLottery, fantasy sports wagering, and simulcasting.

Act 42 allows for up to five VGTs at truck stops that have sold at least an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel per month for the previous 12 months, have 20 commercial parking spaces, a convenience store, are PA Lottery sales agents and are situated on at least three acres of land.

The 42 percent tax on gross terminal revenues is deposited into the Video Gaming Fund.

Annually 0.2 percent of revenues is to be transferred to the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund, and the remaining amount is to be transferred to the General Fund.

The 10 percent local share assessment is distributed to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for grants within the commonwealth.