Two Slot Machine Applicants Plead Their Cases

Each of the slot machine applicants had an opportunity to plead their case to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as to why they should be the one to receive the license. The seven members of the board listened to what each group had to say - then went somewhere private to decide who would get the slot machine licenses. Only one of the slot machine license applicants will get the Pittsburgh license, but all three of those that went before the board on Wednesday felt that they were the one that the Board would choose.

"The awarding of the [slot machine] licenses will mark a significant event in Pennsylvania, as a burgeoning new industry gets off the ground and eventually pays tremendous dividends for the commonwealth," said board spokesman Doug Harbach.

The Isle of Capri Casinos and the Majestic Star Casino were questioned on Wednesday, but Forest City Enterprises chose not to appear again, saying that the board had told them that if they had nothing further to add to their slot machine application, then don’t say anything at all. The Isle of Capri casinos received the most questions, as the board was curious about the uptown slot machine parlor they wanted to build, as well as the $290 million arena they were paying for as well. They wanted to know if they were interested in Pittsburgh and building a slot machine casino, or if they were primarily concerned with building an arena.

They asked the Majestic Star Studio if they could handle a slot machine casino as large as the Pittsburgh one would be – with 5,000 slot machines and no large player rewards program. The group said that the slot machine casino would be the “crown jewel” for the group, and that bidders could use their players programs to steer slot machine gamblers to other sites. If they were to get the slot machine license, they would contribute to the building of the arena, but would not foot the total bill on their own.
 

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