Harrah's Entertainment Inc. Most likely to Be Denied Slots License
It was recently reported that Harrah's Entertainment Inc., co-owner of the Chester Downs Casino and Racetrack near Philadelphia, could be denied a license to operate a future stand alone casino in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This, due to the fact that the state Gaming Control Board recently adopted regulations preventing companies applying for a racino operation license from seeking authorization to run a stand-alone slot machine parlor as well.
Harrah's officials reportedly attempted to prevent the final adoption of these slots regulations, and on September 6, they wrote the Board a letter describing it as a narrow interpretation of Pennsylvania law. However, members of the board replied that the language in the state law is rather clear and holders of racino licenses can not obtain a license to operate a stand-alone slots casino.
Christopher Craig, counsel for State Senator Vincent Fumo, the main crafter of the slots law, was reported as writing that the legislation was formulated in this particular tone, so as to offer racetracks a larger range of business opportunities, and to avoid the potential monopolization of the state slots industry.
