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Gaming Board Confident In New Casino Ownership

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Jul 11, 2008 8:58 pm US/Eastern

Gaming Board Confident In New Casino Ownership

Reporting
Jon Delano
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― As the big news was breaking in Harrisburg about a change in ownership of Pittsburgh's stand-alone casino, both Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl appeared to be taken by surprise, asking the Pa. Gaming Control Board what's going on.

And some local officials are questioning why Don Barden should get to pick his replacement.

Greg Carlin, the CEO of the majority company that will own the casino if approved by the Gaming Control Board, hopes local officials will support an ownership team that will do everything Barden promised.

It's a view echoed by Neil Bluhm, the billionaire investor behind the infusion of $120 million.

"I would certainly hope that the various government officials are in support of this transaction," he said.

But that may not happen. State Sen. Jane Orie said on Marty Griffn's KDKA Radio show that Isle of Capri and Forest City deserved another shot at the gaming license.

KDKA's Jon Delano posed that question to Judge Mary Colins, chair of the Gaming Control Board.

Delano: "Don Barden failed in his efforts, is it right to let him choose partners?"

Colins: "Well, it's not a question of Don Barden failing, as I just stated a minute ago. It's a question of a total change in the economics of this country."

Delano: "So there's really no opportunity for the losers, the Isle of Capri or Forest City, to come back into this picture?"

Colins: "We are looking at being able to approve this new deal at this point in time."

Colins says the Bluhm team would be good for Pennsylvania.

"They're very viable, experienced financiers and business people," Carlin said.

The Gaming Control Board believes the Bluhm team can get construction going on the North Shore again possibly as soon as the end of next week.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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