Onorato Calling For Completion Of Pittsburgh Casino

The casino problem that Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is going through has gone on too long. It is time to get the casino finished and open for business, according to Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

He has called for the completion of the project as soon as possible. He also says that whoever gets the rights to the license, should have to live up to the same commitments that were agreed upon by Don Barden, the original winner of the license.

Barden has run into major financial problems with the project. He has failed to secure the necessary funding to complete a project that has already began. Now, he attempting to transfer his license to billionaire casino developer Neil Bluhm.

In Barden's original agreement, he vowed to donate millions to a new hockey arena for Pittsburghs' Penguins. He also agreed to offer such amenities as an amphitheatre and a river walk at his new casino.

"I'm not here to say who should have that license. It's not who owns it. It's how they live up to commitments," said Onorato. He is seeking to ensure that if Bluhm does get control of the license, that it comes with the same guarantees that were offered by Barden.

Bluhm reached a deal last week with Barden to take over full control of the project and become the casinos primary owner. He is still waiting for the state Gaming Control Board to approve the deal.

July 23, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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