Ameristar Casinos Inc. Reneges on Philadelphia Slot Parlor Plans to Avoid Controversy
Las Vegas gambling entertainment provider Ameristar Casinos Inc. decided to renounce plans to ask for legislative authorization in order to construct a slots casino on a plot of land partially owned by State Senator Michael Stack, Philadelphia.
At one time, the land in question, located along side the Delaware River, was property of the state. The state chose to sell water rights to the 22-acre land to two different companies, one of them partially belonging to Stack’s family. During the Senate’s vote on the matter, Stack did not participate. Although it is required by the law, Stack did not ask for permission to abstain and also did not reveal his personal interest in the matter.
Ameristar made its decision in order to prevent any potentially negative political consequences that might result from its potential cooperation with the Senator Stack on the slots deal. According to Ameristar’s executive vice president, Gordon R. Kanofsky, the company will try its luck a little bit further to the south where receiving a slots license might be an easier task.
