| The
slots parlor issue that has come to characterize Pittsburgh in the
past couple of month has become a hot international topic. The
people of Vancouver, British Columbia are intrigued as to whether
the new slots parlor will be paying from a new arena.
MOJO Sports Radio’s Jeff Paterson notes that
the connection between the heated casino bidding and retired
Penguins all-star Mario Lemieux has grabbed the attention of the
entire National Hockey League. Paterson articulated the simple
thoughts of hockey fans, “People understand arena, slots, Mario.
They know there’s a component of getting slots to allow them to make
the money necessary to build a new arena.”
All across Pennsylvania, from the battlefield
of Gettysburg to historic Philadelphia, the casino proposals have
become a central focus among communities. The issue has consumed
the state like a mutated beast. However, once the Pennsylvania
gambling regulators open public hearings in Pittsburgh on Tuesday,
the beast is sure to grow a new and hideous head.
In the city of Pittsburgh, the issue has
evolved past simple slot machines and casinos; to some extent, the
issue has become about keeping the hockey team in the city. Isle of
Capri Casinos submitted their proposal in partnership with the
Pittsburgh Penguins NHL team. If awarded the license, the casino
operators would pay $290 million in order to construct a new arena
for the team.
The entire state is excited about the prospect
of a new arena. Many state politicians, including Governor Ed
Rendell, have petitioned the competing bidders, Harrah’s Station
Square Casino and Majestic Star Casino, to volunteer $7.5 million
dollars annually toward the building of a new arena. Both casinos
would be built on the Pittsburgh North Shore. Neither casino
operator has ceded to the request.
Such politicians do not have the final say
over who is licensed; that honor is bestowed upon the Pennsylvania
Gaming Control Board. The board is not expected to make any
decisions until December of this year.
The hearings will be held at the Omni William
Penn Hotel. The three proposals will be discussed openly by 234
registered speakers; that adds up to over 20% of the speakers that
registered from all over Pennsylvania. Supporters of the new
Penguins arena are organizing an all-day rally outside of the hotel
on Mellon Square.
Denis Rudd, a Robert Morris University tourism
professor, lays out the crusade of his fellow sport fanatics, “We’re
just a unique situation here, because we’re trying to save a sports
team from going down the drain and leaving us.”
Ron Porter, the chairman of the volunteer
Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force, is scheduled to speak on Tuesday;
although he questions the validity of the process. “Quite frankly,
I question their value,” he says warily of the hearings. “I’m not
sure how much the commission can absorb, because they’re going to be
getting a variety of viewpoints.”
The board just wrapped up a three day round of
hearings in Philadelphia. Almost identical doubts and questions
were raised, however, by the end of the hearings, participant left
with a feeling of assuredness and confidence in the process.
Not only was the hearing in Philadelphia
reported to be well-managed, it was considered partially
entertaining. Donald Trump, himself, made an appearance at the
hearings to support his casino plan.
Philadelphia Gaming Advisory Task Force
co-chair, Paul Levy, recalls, “Everybody got their say. I don’t
feel anybody was walking around angry about the process.”
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