Philadelphia Park Casino Looks For Permanent License
Philadelphia Park Casino must go before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Tuesday to request a permanent operating license. The casino's temporary license expires Wednesday at midnight.
Spokesmen for the board stated the law does not allow for extension of the temporary license. Greenwood Gaming, the owner and operator of the casino, must show the board plans for the casino's future, including architechtural designs for a free-standing casino, and discuss the vision for future development.
Currently, the casino operates with its slots as part of the racetrack complex. Plans include a 250,000 square foot building hosting 4000 slot machines, three bars, two restaurants, and a food court, linked to the racetrack and grandstands by a 700 foot walkway.
In the little over a year since the slots were introduced to the Park, the casino has drwan over 7000 visitors a day. Gamblers have bet over $3.3 billion, of which $3.1 billion was paid out in winnings. The remaining $270 million was split among the casino, in subsidies to the horse racing industry, and over $100 million to the state and two surrounding counties.
Bensalem, Pennsylvania Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo is among those pushing for the license to be granted. Local officials cite the impact on the local economy and the retention of business that would otherwise head to Atlantic City as reasons beyond the tax benefits to give the casino a permanent license.
