Headlines Archive
2006 | 2005 | 2004
2004 Gambling Headlines Archive
The Case Against Casino Gambling
Pennsylvania Family Institute/Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion
For most places, the notion that casinos will bring legions of curious visitors who stay overnight, shop at the stores and visit other local sites is simply not true.
Lesson given in casino cheating
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec. 21, 2004
Security experts gave the Gaming Control Board a lesson yesterday on how to protect Pennsylvania's 14 new casinos from being cheated.
Tribe's takeover of track approved
The state Harness Racing Commission, which is finally back to its full complement of three commissioners, unanimously approved the $280 million sale of the Pocono Downs racetrack to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority of Connecticut.
2 firms hired to search for executives for state gaming board
The Gaming Control Board hired two "head hunter" firms to find candidates for three top administrative and legal jobs. The board waived the state's usual requirement for competitive bidding in the hiring of the firms.
State gaming board starts to set slots timeline
Gov. Ed Rendell is anxious to get the casinos up and running, but he agreed that speed is a secondary consideration to "doing it right.''
Developer's lawsuit challenges gambling law
For the second time in five months, Beaver County developer Charles J. Betters has filed a lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania's new gambling law.
Detroit businessman may enter race for city slots parlor
Detroit businessman Don Barden, who owns casinos in Las Vegas, Mississippi, Colorado and Indiana, could become the latest player in the competition for a stand-alone slot machine parlor in Pittsburgh.
Forum: The real gambling addict is government
Any government that knowingly lures 5 percent of its citizens toward an uncontrolled addiction has lost its legitimacy — Bruce Barron of No Dice, a Pittsburgh-area organization opposing the expansion of legalized gambling.
Some convinced gambling will breed corruption
The indictment of Erie's mayor is cited as evidence that crime will accompany slot machines.
Gaming Control Board is ready to go ... maybe
The law creating the state Gaming Control Board and granting it authority was challenged by two new lawsuits filed by gambling opponents and by a group of spurned investors seeking to have the new gambling law thrown out or amended.
Land deal case fuels debate over slots
Pennsylvania's rush for gambling gold hasn't produced any working slots parlors or reductions in school property taxes yet. But it may already be yielding criminal activity.
Slots bill's rush to law was illegal, suit claims
A group of gambling opponents asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court yesterday to overturn the law legalizing slots play in Pennsylvania.
Justices seem skeptical of slots suit
Philadelphia Inquirer (Associated Press), Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004
A lawsuit challenging the appointment of former state Rep. Jeffrey W. Coy to the state's new gambling commission is "blatantly political," the president judge of Commonwealth Court said yesterday.
Gambling with a city's reputation?
Philadelphia Inquirer (Associated Press), Monday, Nov. 1, 2004
A proposed casino, on property that was once part of the massive Bethlehem Steel complex along the Lehigh River, has some officials questioning whether the financial boon would be worth the potential change in the city's character. BethWorks Now is the investment group lobbying to open the slots parlor.
Two Western Pennsylvania resorts in running for slots
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004
Nemacolin Woodlands resort in Fayette County, Seven Springs in Somerset County and Caesars Pocono Resorts in northeastern Pennsylvania all have an interest in securing a license, which could give them an edge in attracting vacationers looking to get away from it all.
Businesses prepare for big slots payoff
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Monday, Oct. 18, 2004
Out-of-state breeders are looking to find a home for their stallions on Pennsylvania farmland. Developers and casino companies are nosing around Philadelphia, looking for a site for a slots parlor. And a Pittsburgh-based law firm is gearing up to serve a new clientele.
Tribe purchases Pocono Downs
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004
An American Indian tribe from Connecticut that has operated a successful casino in its own state since 1996 is getting into the gambling business in Pennsylvania. The Mohegan tribe announced it will buy the Pocono Downs harness-racing track near Wilkes-Barre for $280 million.
Rendell tries again to fill top gaming slot
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Friday, Oct. 15, 2004
Gov. Ed Rendell has once again gone to his home city of Philadelphia to find a chairman for the state's powerful new Gaming Control Board. Rendell tapped Thomas A. "Tad" Decker, 58, a corporate attorney and managing partner of the law firm Cozen O'Connor, to lead Pennsylvania into the new world of casino gambling.
Design advocates urge standards for new casino
Pittsburgh Business Times, Oct. 4, 2004
T he slots legislation's allowing no local oversight in the construction of new casinos has mobilized architecture and design advocates statewide in lobbying for strong design standards for new casinos.
Law firm starts new gaming practice group
Pittsburgh Business Times, Oct. 4, 2004
A Pittsburgh-based law firm has started a gaming practice group to capitalize on new opportunities it believes will be created by Pennsylvania's recent legalization of slots gaming.
Meadowlands preserves rich racing history
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004
Meadowlands Farm, originally owned by a noted 19th-century judge, was the homestead of Delvin G. Miller, the legendary Standardbred horse breeder, trainer and jockey, and owner of harness racing's most famous sire, Adios.
Gambling industry's bets on slot machines paid off
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (The Associated Press), Friday, Sept. 17, 2004
A small army of lobbyists representing at least 34 businesses and individuals was paid $575,000 over a three-month period to help shape the final version of Pennsylvania's new slot machine law, state Senate records show. The lobbying leading up to the passage of the bill July 4 produced a number of favorable changes for those seeking to influence the negotiations, in particular the horse industry.
Scrutiny of Friel angers Rendell
Philadelphia Inquirer, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004
As Gov. Rendell's nominee to head the Gaming Control Board withdrew, Rendell blasted the news media, through clenched teeth, for "what you did . . . to one of the most decent, honorable men." Rendell said that the criticism of Francis P. Friel was, in part, fed to news organizations by political opponents.
Maryland officials gauge support for slot machines
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004
Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Democratic legislative leaders have resumed negotiations on a possible special session of the General Assembly next week to consider legalizing slot machines.
State police form unit to monitor gambling
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004
Operating under an initial two-year budget of $7.5 million, Pennsylvania State Police will form a new unit -- the Office of Gaming Enforcement.
$145K for part-time slots gig. Wow!
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004
Members of the new Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will make slightly more than the governor and to boot, there's nothing to prevent them from holding down other jobs.
Salaries announced for slots panel
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004
The chairman of Pennsylvania's new agency to regulate slots gambling will be paid $150,000 a year, while the board's other six members will get $145,000 annually, the state announced.
Gaming firm plans to buy casino
The Patriot-News, Thursday, Aug.12, 2004
Wyomissing-based Penn National said it has reached an agreement to purchase the holdings of President Casino St. Louis Riverfront for $28 million.
4 groups still want thoroughbred racing track license
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004
A year ago, there were nine groups seeking the sixth and final license for a thoroughbred racing track in Pennsylvania. As of yesterday, the list was down to four.
Trump wants a hand in Penna. slots
Philadelphia Inquirer, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004
Donald Trump, who is readying his Atlantic City casino company for a second bankruptcy, wants to bring the restructured company to Pennsylvania - a state he has eyed for expansion since at least the mid-1990s.
State hires consultants to develop slots systems
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004
The Rendell administration has hired three gambling consultants to recommend ways to implement and regulate Pennsylvania's expanded network of legalized gambling.
Pa. slots are raising the ante for neighbor states
Philadelphia Inquirer, Monday, Aug. 2, 2004
Suddenly, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia are considering whatever they can to stay competitive when slot machines arrive in Pennsylvania next year.
Slots tax-relief sleight: Now you see it...
Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004
Although it promises Pennsylvanians some long-awaited property-tax relief, the recently approved slots legislation could have hundreds of thousands of them paying more in local levies, not less.
Gaming giant projects slots revenue
The Patriot-News, Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Penn National Gaming Inc. said yesterday it expects $160 million in revenue in the first year of operation of a slot-machine facility at Penn National Race Course in Grantville and as much as $310 million in annual revenue once the facility is fully built out with between 3,000 and 5,000 machines.
Amount of revenue from new slots operations no sure bet
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sunday, July 25, 2004
Realistic projections on how many slot machines are coming to Pennsylvania clarify one point: Don't expect to see 61,000 of them, the maximum number allowed by recently passed legislation. Just more than half that number is more likely. (Informative article with graph: States' tax revenues from slots/casino operations. The Editor)
SLOTS, Philly-style
 Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday, July 24, 2004
Forget the old triple cherries. Some modern games have symbols ready-made for gamblers in the city.
Hardy says he won't pull strings for slots
The Connellsville Daily Courier, Thursday, July 15, 2004
When it comes to a decision in Harrisburg that could net him millions of dollars and boost the number visitors at his lavish Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Fayette County Commissioner and Nemacolin owner Joe Hardy says he wants to be considered on the basis of his business record, not his connections. (Joseph A. Hardy, Sr., founded 84 Lumber Company. The Editor)
Rendell signs slot machines into law
Philadelphia Inquirer, Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Gov. Rendell signed bills he said would bring billions in slot-machine revenue and millions in tax cuts to Pennsylvania. The gambling bill will allow 61,000 slot machines at 14 locations across the state, including Philadelphia, Chester and Philadelphia Park, in Bensalem. Supporters say it will bring in $3 billion a year in gross revenue when fully phased in in four years. About $1 billion of that will, among other things, pay for real-estate tax relief statewide and wage-tax cuts in Philadelphia, boost racetrack purses, and pay for economic development, including an expansion of the Convention Center in Center City.
Back to Top
© Copyright 2004-2006 Pennsylvania Gambler
|
