Poconos Casino Developers Move Forward Without Licenses

Developers have broken ground on a casino in the Poconos even though the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is still months away from approving licenses.

Mount Airy Resort and Casino is vying for one of two stand-alone casino licenses with up to 5,000 slot machines that will be awarded at locations outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Even though those licenses won't be awarded until December at the earliest, Mount Airy spokesman Kevin Feeley says the developers are moving ahead with a $360 million facility in Paradise Township, Monroe County.

"It is the best site in Pennsylvania. It's a spectacular 900-acre site in the heart of the Poconos. And we think we have a great proposal. We think that will tell when the decision-makers in Harrisburg review these applications."

And if, by chance, the Gaming Control Board doesn't see it that way, Feeley says the developers will sit down with local officials and determine the next-best use of the site, on which was located a once-well-known Poconos resort.

July 19, 2006
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!