An Indian tribe that owns one of the world's largest casinos has teamed up with a Bethlehem developer on a proposal to build a slots casino in South Bethlehem.
Lou Pektor and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owner of the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, signed an agreement to help plan and finance the project on 50 acres near Interstate 78 and Route 412.
The proposal will compete with one put forth Dec. 3 by BethWorks Now and Las Vegas Sands Inc., owner of the Venetian casino in Las Vegas, to jointly build a slots parlor on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant.
Gary Armentrout, Foxwoods' chief development officer, said Bethlehem's proximity to large numbers of potential customers in the Lehigh Valley and New York, New Jersey and Delaware makes it a good place for a casino.
The state legislature has authorized slot machines at up to 14 racetracks, resorts and stand-alone venues in Pennsylvania. A third of the projected $3 billion in annual revenues is supposed to go to reduce local property taxes.
Bethlehem is in the running for one of two non-track, non-resort licenses.
