yes there is a gasket, some of them will still leak with the gasket, put a SMAAL bead of silicone on the inside lip of the block, and that should stop it, but you might have a warped one , check it on a true flat surface.
thats not uncommon, usualy it the end exhaust port holes that that happens to (thats why the factory uses studs at the front and rear exhaust port holes) the valve cover bolt is odd, but i wouldnt morry about it. just buy some studs and stud he holes (much better than the bolts anyways) they did...