Post by Rainier Wolfcastle on Sept 26, 2011 12:57:31 GMT -5
Does this make the buffer more or less likely. I'm thinking less.
Lawmakers push to reopen casino license
Efforts have renewed after study shows southcentral Pa. is the best locale for a casino.
By TIM PRUDENTE The Evening Sun
Posted: 09/25/2011 01:00:00 AM EDT
A recent study that found areas in southcentral Pennsylvania best suited for a new casino is encouraging legislators to open up a gaming license for new projects.
Two lawmakers are now pushing bills that would make the license from a stalled Philadelphia project available to the rest of the commonwealth -- perhaps for projects in York, Reading or Chambersburg.
The study, commissioned by Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord, identified southern York County as the most profitable area for a new casino and capable of generating $153.99 million in new gaming revenues for the state.
The finding supports pending legislation that would make available the gaming license of the stalled Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia.
"To me, in my mind, this supports the need to move the license," said state Rep. Curt Schroder, chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee. "Now that we have these results, I think it bodes favorably for the legislation."
The bill introduced by Schroder, R-Chester County, would open the license to the highest bidder, with an auction price starting at $66.5 million. He envisions the state Gaming Control Board narrowing the field of applicants to those in areas identified as profitable for the commonwealth. It's expected that the study, which identified York and Chambersburg among the top four sites, would be relied upon to narrow the field.
The bill was introduced in December of last year but it has not yet been brought up for a vote. Schroder says that's because he was waiting to see if findings in the report support his cause.
"One of the reasons we have not run with the legislation is because we were aware the treasurer's report was coming," he explained. "Now, what this does is show there are other locations more viable than Philadelphia."
Schroder expects the bill to be brought up for a vote this fall. But he isn't the only legislator calling for the Foxwoods license to be made available.
Sen. Jane Earll chairs the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee and she introduced similar legislation late last year.
"This type of report certainly strengthens Senator Earll's convictions," said Jason Brehouse, executive council in the senator's office.
Earll, R-Erie, is also expected to push forward her legislation. The intention, Brehouse said, is to have legal guidelines in place in the event that the Foxwoods projects fails.
The Gaming Control Board revoked the Foxwoods license late last year, citing concerns over the financing and operating plans. Developers have since appealed to the courts to keep the license. If the court decides against the developer, appeals could follow and the matter could take several years to be resolved, according to the Gaming Control Board.
As it stands now, the license must remain in Philadelphia by state law. But legislators such as Schroder and Earll expect the new report will mobilize efforts to make this license available elsewhere.
Foxwoods, though, isn't the only stalled casino project in the commonwealth.
A new developer has purchased the site of the proposed Valley View Downs & Casino in Lawrence County. The developer has applied for a state harness-racing license and, if that's successful, plans to seek a casino license from the gaming board. A license was awarded to the site about four years ago but the new developer must re-apply.
The revenue potential for Valley View hinges upon whether a casino opens in nearby Youngstown, Ohio as planned. If so, revenue generated by Valley View is projected to decrease from $123 million to $83 million, potentially causing lawmakers to re-consider the project.
Otherwise, a new gaming license isn't expected to become available until at least 2017.
The recent study was compiled by The Innovation Group, based in New Orleans, and it analyzed current and future gaming potential in the commonwealth. McCord said the report will serve as a tool for legislators and policymakers as they consider future gaming issues.
The $44,000 study identified 11 sites that could support a casino in Pennsylvania. It ranked them based on the potential revenue the state could earn at each location, taking into account the effect of competition from surrounding states and the impact on existing Pennsylvania casinos.
Gettysburg was not identified, although nearby locations like York and Chambersburg ranked high on the list.
Innovation Group Managing Director Paul Girvan compiled the study and he says York is a better casino location than Gettysburg because of existing infrastructure such as the I-83 Corridor.
"The primary reason is because York has better access to portions of Maryland and New Jersey," he explained.
A Gettysburg businessman had worked to bring a casino to Adams County but the Gaming Control Board decided in April to license a rival project in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino has since appealed the decision to the courts.
Recent court documents indicate Mason-Dixon partner and Gettysburg businessman David LeVan wants to leave the partnership and that he might want to pursue a new gaming opportunity in Adams County.
Preservation organizations, though, are working to push legislation that would prevent a casino from opening within 10 miles of the Gettysburg National Military Park. LeVan's Mason-Dixon proposal was to be located about 0.8 miles from the southern border of the battlefield.
The Gaming Board cited public opposition as a reason for turning down the Mason-Dixon proposal as historians and preservationists generally objected to the plan. Many Adams County residents supported the project, though, because of the potential economic benefits a casino would bring, including property tax relief and job opportunities.
The comments coming in from NCG are pretty good. Lots of wadded up panties over there. My favorite is from Jeff Griffith from New York. You all may remember him as the man behind some of their video and graphic work.
I'm so scared.
Lawmakers push to reopen casino license
Efforts have renewed after study shows southcentral Pa. is the best locale for a casino.
By TIM PRUDENTE The Evening Sun
Posted: 09/25/2011 01:00:00 AM EDT
A recent study that found areas in southcentral Pennsylvania best suited for a new casino is encouraging legislators to open up a gaming license for new projects.
Two lawmakers are now pushing bills that would make the license from a stalled Philadelphia project available to the rest of the commonwealth -- perhaps for projects in York, Reading or Chambersburg.
The study, commissioned by Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord, identified southern York County as the most profitable area for a new casino and capable of generating $153.99 million in new gaming revenues for the state.
The finding supports pending legislation that would make available the gaming license of the stalled Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia.
"To me, in my mind, this supports the need to move the license," said state Rep. Curt Schroder, chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee. "Now that we have these results, I think it bodes favorably for the legislation."
The bill introduced by Schroder, R-Chester County, would open the license to the highest bidder, with an auction price starting at $66.5 million. He envisions the state Gaming Control Board narrowing the field of applicants to those in areas identified as profitable for the commonwealth. It's expected that the study, which identified York and Chambersburg among the top four sites, would be relied upon to narrow the field.
The bill was introduced in December of last year but it has not yet been brought up for a vote. Schroder says that's because he was waiting to see if findings in the report support his cause.
"One of the reasons we have not run with the legislation is because we were aware the treasurer's report was coming," he explained. "Now, what this does is show there are other locations more viable than Philadelphia."
Schroder expects the bill to be brought up for a vote this fall. But he isn't the only legislator calling for the Foxwoods license to be made available.
Sen. Jane Earll chairs the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee and she introduced similar legislation late last year.
"This type of report certainly strengthens Senator Earll's convictions," said Jason Brehouse, executive council in the senator's office.
Earll, R-Erie, is also expected to push forward her legislation. The intention, Brehouse said, is to have legal guidelines in place in the event that the Foxwoods projects fails.
The Gaming Control Board revoked the Foxwoods license late last year, citing concerns over the financing and operating plans. Developers have since appealed to the courts to keep the license. If the court decides against the developer, appeals could follow and the matter could take several years to be resolved, according to the Gaming Control Board.
As it stands now, the license must remain in Philadelphia by state law. But legislators such as Schroder and Earll expect the new report will mobilize efforts to make this license available elsewhere.
Foxwoods, though, isn't the only stalled casino project in the commonwealth.
A new developer has purchased the site of the proposed Valley View Downs & Casino in Lawrence County. The developer has applied for a state harness-racing license and, if that's successful, plans to seek a casino license from the gaming board. A license was awarded to the site about four years ago but the new developer must re-apply.
The revenue potential for Valley View hinges upon whether a casino opens in nearby Youngstown, Ohio as planned. If so, revenue generated by Valley View is projected to decrease from $123 million to $83 million, potentially causing lawmakers to re-consider the project.
Otherwise, a new gaming license isn't expected to become available until at least 2017.
The recent study was compiled by The Innovation Group, based in New Orleans, and it analyzed current and future gaming potential in the commonwealth. McCord said the report will serve as a tool for legislators and policymakers as they consider future gaming issues.
The $44,000 study identified 11 sites that could support a casino in Pennsylvania. It ranked them based on the potential revenue the state could earn at each location, taking into account the effect of competition from surrounding states and the impact on existing Pennsylvania casinos.
Gettysburg was not identified, although nearby locations like York and Chambersburg ranked high on the list.
Innovation Group Managing Director Paul Girvan compiled the study and he says York is a better casino location than Gettysburg because of existing infrastructure such as the I-83 Corridor.
"The primary reason is because York has better access to portions of Maryland and New Jersey," he explained.
A Gettysburg businessman had worked to bring a casino to Adams County but the Gaming Control Board decided in April to license a rival project in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino has since appealed the decision to the courts.
Recent court documents indicate Mason-Dixon partner and Gettysburg businessman David LeVan wants to leave the partnership and that he might want to pursue a new gaming opportunity in Adams County.
Preservation organizations, though, are working to push legislation that would prevent a casino from opening within 10 miles of the Gettysburg National Military Park. LeVan's Mason-Dixon proposal was to be located about 0.8 miles from the southern border of the battlefield.
The Gaming Board cited public opposition as a reason for turning down the Mason-Dixon proposal as historians and preservationists generally objected to the plan. Many Adams County residents supported the project, though, because of the potential economic benefits a casino would bring, including property tax relief and job opportunities.
The comments coming in from NCG are pretty good. Lots of wadded up panties over there. My favorite is from Jeff Griffith from New York. You all may remember him as the man behind some of their video and graphic work.
Jeff Griffith: I'm tired of this BS. I will unleash every person I know if they push the topic again. We will embarrass them again and again.
I'm so scared.
