HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The lucrative license to run Pittsburgh's first slot-machine casino was awarded to PITG Gaming on Wednesday morning, changing the landscape of the city forever.

The seven-member Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced its unanimous decision in favor of PITG at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

PITG, run by Detroit businessman Don Barden, will build a $410 million Majestic Star casino, a hotel and restaurants on vacant North Shore lots, near the Carnegie Science Center and Heinz Field. Barden set a March 2008 timetable for the casino to open.

The state gaming board denied bids by Forest City Enterprises -- which had proposed a casino to be run by Harrah's Entertainment at Station Square -- and Isle of Capri -- which envisioned a casino in the Lower Hill District, near Mellon Arena.

IOC had also promised to build a new $290 million arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of its license application. That deal would have legally bound the Pens to stay in Pittsburgh for 20 years, even if a new buyer takes over the team.

Barden, who kept a low profile throughout the application process, cried after hearing the gaming board vote to approve his application.

He essentially kept his bid in line with the IOC proposal by committing extra dollars to a new arena ($7.5 million a year for 30 years) and Hill District redevelopment ($350 million).

Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis is part of Barden's group. He will chair a committee overseeing the Hill development.

Representatives for IOC and PITG went before the gaming board on Tuesday, giving last-minute pitches in favor of their proposals.

Outside the boardroom, a Forest City representative told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that speculation about the board's decision being fixed because of political connections was unfounded.

Gov. Ed Rendell sparked the drive to legalize casino-style gambling in Pennsylvania by promising that slots revenue would help reduce property taxes and revive the state's horse-racing industry.

---

Related Links:
More Allegheny County News

Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts

---