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Greenwood Gaming Asks State to Recognize Temporary Slots Facility as Permanent
On June 14, 2007, the $300 million worth casino plans are still in the works for the Philadelphia Park in Bensalem. Casino operator, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, asked the state to disapprove an earlier petition which aimed to stop the construction of a standalone slots facility.
The announcement comes after the criticism of racing patrons and local legislators who were disappointed that the slot machines would remain in its existing place at the racing track grandstands.
In an application passed last April 2007 to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Philadelphia Park stated that a standalone permanent slots and entertainment facility in Bensalem is no longer advisable.
Philadelphia Park said that they have already spent $136 million to remodel the grandstands into a first class slot machine facility and asked for permission to have the grandstands recognized as a "permanent casino facility". Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo commented that Philadelphia Park broke their part of the agreement to Bensalem.
Mayor DiGirolamo questioned Philadelphia Park's capability to effectively compete with standalone gambling casinos that are scheduled to open in the coming months in Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association filed a letter of protest to the state, saying that the standalone casino should be built.
According to the Association President, the disappointment of the horse racing fans can be seen by the decline in attendance and wagering at the horse racing track. Since the casino opened in December 2006, horse racing betting at the Philadelphia Park slid down 15% when compared to figures from the same period last year.
With the changing of the grandstands to house the slot machines, horse racing fans were limited to the top floor area of the slots casino to watch the horse races. Before the gaming board could decide on the new application, Greenwood Gaming CEO Bob Green commented that their company needs to change the first phase of their slots casino master plan for Philadelphia Park. In a press release that day, Green commented that there are certain misconceptions about their decision and future plans about the project.
Greenwood Gaming is required to build the permanent slots facility because it is part of the casino license agreement with the state last year. Unless they are given permission by the state to change their master plan for Philadelphia Park.
Monday, July 09 , 2007
Brian Letendre