PITTSBURGH -- WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Marcie Cipriani had a chance on Thursday to talk with Majestic Star Casino owner Don Barden while he was talking to women and minorities about getting involved with the casino, which is set to open on Pittsburgh's North Shore in May 2009.

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Barden, a self-proclaimed dreamer who started his career in a mailroom, said he would love to be able to have table games by the time the casino opens.

"I hope that we have table games by the time we open," Barden said on Thursday. "In order for us to be competitive, we need table games."

West Virginia has table games, so Barden believes if Pennsylvania doesn't step up, it will be left behind.

"That's an important component and ingredient, and I think you'll see other expansion and development associated with that in terms of new retail and hotels," said Barden. "All of that comes with table games, because it's a different kind of a client."

And Barden's casino is being designed with table games in mind. It will include several bars, lounges, a steakhouse and a more than 100,000-square-foot gaming floor.

"I'll be trying and begging and pleading to the legislature and to the governor to bring table games to Pittsburgh," said Barden.

Barden said those games would also bring in more jobs. He told women and minority groups on Thursday that if table games are allowed, more jobs would be geared toward them.

"I hope there are no more hurdles," said Barden. "I feel like the Olympic track star hurdler."

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