Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Bill Would Revoke Philly Casino License

A Pennsylvania Senate Committee wants to pull the state license for Foxwoods Casino to build and operate a casino in Philadelphia. Foxwoods was awarded a license in December 2006 but State Senator John Wozniak of Cambria County says the company has had 6 years, including the application period to come up with financing and a location for the casino. By a vote of 12-2, the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee approved Wozniak's legislation which would void the license with Foxwoods. The bill would allow for an open competition for the license to locate a casino in any county but Allegheny since the Rivers Casino is already operating in Pittsburgh.
Wozniak says Foxwoods has encountered numerous problems including public opposition to its proposed location and financing difficulties.
Under the slots law, Philadelphia had been designated for two casino licenses; only one casino is prepared to open and that is expected to happen in September.
Senator Wozniak says while people who work in Philadelphia are getting a break on their wage tax as a result of tax revenue generated by slots gaming at casinos throughout Pennsylvania, the casinos proposed for Philadelphia are not yet contributing toward that pot of money.
Wozniak says Foxwoods has had long enough to get its house in order and his goal is his goal is to get a casino up and running in Pennsylvania that will produce revenue for additional school property tax relief, support of the horse racing industry in Pennsylvania, construction jobs, and permanent jobs at the casino.
The legislation now goes to the full Senate.

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