PITTSBURGH -- Gaming officials are hoping that even if people are losing money on the stock market, they will still gamble at Pittsburgh's casino. And they say that the transfer of a license for the North Shore project is a winning bet.

The folks in charge of work on Pittsburgh's casino said the project is on time and on budget. And with a new Pittsburgh's casino license in hand, Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm said his investors have locked in their financing for the $780 million project.

"We think they'll come here and gamble. We may not substantially exceed our projections if the economy is bad. But we're confident that we'll do OK," Bluhm said.

County and city leaders said they're also betting on the project.

"You know if we were out for bid right now, we're not so sure what would have happened. If anybody would have come forward because of where the finances are," said Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

"The people working at this job site would still be looking for work. The thousand who would be employed in August of 2009 wouldn't have that opportunity until much later," said the mayor's chief of staff, Yarone Zober.

The value of having this casino construction well under way is more than speculation.

"There are a lot projects around the country that are stopped -- in Mississippi and Las Vegas and Atlantic City. So it is a tough environment right now to get projects financed," said casino CEO Greg Carlin.

"This project is going to bring a lot of jobs. We at the gaming board are very optimistic about the market in Pittsburgh and the revenue that it will bring," said Gaming Board Chair Mary DiGiacomo.

Those interested in the jobs that are going to be available at the casino can visit thepittsburghcasino.com.

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