Local News

Bluhm Asks Gaming Board To Rule On Slots License

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― While some say that Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm is issuing ultimatums to push the gaming board to transfer Pittsburgh's casino license to him and his partners, others say he's just being honest.

Since Don Barden's creditors and subcontractors could foreclose on the Majestic Star project this week -- throw everything into bankruptcy court -- and delay a Pittsburgh casino for years, time is running out. That's in sharp contrast to work on the Meadows Casino.

While construction has come to a stand-still over at the North Shore casino site, things are moving right along on the permanent Meadows casino at the racetrack in Washington County. The temporary Meadows casino is doing well, and some patrons couldn't care less about the Pittsburgh casino.

"I'll never go to it. I'll never go that far. I only drive this far," says Rose Gillespie of Washington, PA.

"I don't know if I'll go there, I really don't. I think it's going to be too congested getting in and out of there, number one, I don't know, just the area. I think I'll still come down here," adds Pat Seifert of Gibsonia.

But some can't wait to try a new casino on the North Shore, including one North Side resident.

"I'm really upset about it [the delay]. I've been waiting for a long time," says Josie McClelland of Fineview. "They picked the wrong person. I don't know why they picked him. They should have picked Harrah's. Now we're going to have to wait and wait."

But waiting and waiting is not an option for county executive Dan Onorato -- who along with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl -- is meeting with senior staff of the Gaming Control Board on Tuesday.

"I want them to make it very clear what they're procedure is going to be this week and beyond this week," says Onorato.

"I they don't have a hearing this week, it only creates more innuendos, allegations and accusations. Have the meeting. have the meeting. State what you're doing, and if you're not going to approve him, state why you're not going to approve him. If you are going to approve him, state why. Tell us about these other individuals that were thinking about investing. Where are they? Why didn't you do that? If they do that, it will be a big step in bringing their credibility back."

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