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Heavyweights Square Off Over Casino License

PENNSYLVANIA – As reported by the Morning Call: "In this corner, weighing in at $1.2 billion in annual sales with a proposed casino project of $879 million and hailing from Las Vegas is the self-proclaimed champion, the Venetian.

"And in this corner, weighing in with $1.5 billion in sales, with a proposed casino project of $525 million and hailing from Phoenix is the No. 1 contender, the Tropicana.

"Two gambling giants came out swinging Tuesday in their battle to win the lone gambling license expected to be awarded next year to the Lehigh Valley. Which company wins would determine whether Allentown or Bethlehem gets a $10 million annual host fee and spin-off economic development that comes with drawing an estimated 3.5 million people a year to the city that wins the slots license.

"Tropicana Tuesday unveiled a plan to locate up to 5,000 slot machines in a 25-acre entertainment complex to be built behind the Agere building on Union Boulevard in east Allentown. The slots complex would be next to a proposed Triple A minor league baseball stadium.

"Until then, Venetian was the only fighter in the ring, but the long-awaited arrival of Tropicana sets up a high-stakes battle to win the favor of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which will choose where to locate the state's stand-alone gambling licenses.

"…In the coming months, the battle could grow more heated. All gambling license applications must be made by Dec. 28 and the board is expected to chose the winning sites next summer…"

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