Rivers Casino Makes Gambling Contribution To Penguins Arena

The Rivers Casino is doing in Pittsburgh what many citizens in other states are responsible for. The casino is funding the new arena for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

In states such as Florida, taxpayers are fronting the Bill for a new Marlins stadium, and in other states different arenas are being built at the expense of the taxpayers as well. In Pittsburgh, however, The Rivers Casino is contributing to the new Penguins arena.

On Thursday, The Rivers Casino made their first payment to the Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition Authority. The payment was for $2.3 million, just a small portion of the $7.5 million that the casino will pay annually.

The payment relieved a lot of doubt that had been circulating in Pennsylvania as to whether or not the casino would follow up on their end of the agreement. The payment was late, further worrying some, but the casino is committed to following through on their promise.

"I think there was some concern by various folks that we were going to make these payments," said Greg Carlin, CEO of The Rivers Casino, "We want to make the payment to show that we're going to honor all our obligations."

The arena is expected to be built in time for next season. The Penguins will finish this season in their old arena before moving to the new $325 million facility. There had been some concern that the arena would never be completed and that the Penguins would relocate.

The Rivers Casino has been a success since opening recently. There is plenty of access to the casino from Pittsburgh's biggest draw, Heinz Field, where the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers play their home games.

October 11, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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