Open invite
Open invite
Gov. Rendell wants to see Trump in Pennsylvania
After visiting Atlantic City last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is extending an open invitation for casino magnate Donald Trump to come to his state and set up a casino operation.
Rendell, who made his comments after attending the New Jersey Conference of Mayors at Trump's Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino, added that he wanted to see the very best of casino operators in his state once gambling is officially introduced next year in up to 14 locations. By attracting well-recognized and respected operators, Pennsylvania can stave off competition from neighboring gaming markets-the same markets that for years have taken millions of dollars of potential revenue from state coffers before casino-style gaming was approved by the state last year.
Trump, Rendell said, is the type of operator he's looking for.
"The Trump name would be a big draw, so we would encourage him to bid on a license, Rendell told the Press of Atlantic City.
Rendell said Trump had initially scoffed at the idea of coming to Pennsylvania, but that after speaking to him about the potential, Trump has since changed his mind. Trump's company, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, has already confirmed that it will operate a slots parlor in Philadelphia, though the location is not being revealed at this time.
"We're looking at one site in particular, although we have several alternatives," said Trump Hotels President Scott Butera.
The 61,000 slot machines Pennsylvania approved-far more than the 42,000 slots in Atlantic City-would make it the second-largest gaming market behind Nevada, and that has some Atlantic City operators worried. Many, Trump included, had opposed legislation to legalize gambling in the Keystone State.
Two other Atlantic City operators, Harrah's Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment, are also looking into Pennsylvania now that the state has approved gaming, though their efforts could hinge on them completing a $9.4 billion merger between them first.
The state expects to begin awarding licenses in December, with the first gaming operations opening in 2006. Rendell and other Pennsylvania leaders hoped to have the slots operating this year, since revenues from gaming will largely go toward property tax relief. But the processes surrounding legalizing gaming took longer than initially expected.
"For me, I would like for it to have started yesterday," Rendell said.
-Andy Holtmann
Gov. Rendell wants to see Trump in Pennsylvania
After visiting Atlantic City last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is extending an open invitation for casino magnate Donald Trump to come to his state and set up a casino operation.
Rendell, who made his comments after attending the New Jersey Conference of Mayors at Trump's Taj Mahal Hotel & Casino, added that he wanted to see the very best of casino operators in his state once gambling is officially introduced next year in up to 14 locations. By attracting well-recognized and respected operators, Pennsylvania can stave off competition from neighboring gaming markets-the same markets that for years have taken millions of dollars of potential revenue from state coffers before casino-style gaming was approved by the state last year.
Trump, Rendell said, is the type of operator he's looking for.
"The Trump name would be a big draw, so we would encourage him to bid on a license, Rendell told the Press of Atlantic City.
Rendell said Trump had initially scoffed at the idea of coming to Pennsylvania, but that after speaking to him about the potential, Trump has since changed his mind. Trump's company, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, has already confirmed that it will operate a slots parlor in Philadelphia, though the location is not being revealed at this time.
"We're looking at one site in particular, although we have several alternatives," said Trump Hotels President Scott Butera.
The 61,000 slot machines Pennsylvania approved-far more than the 42,000 slots in Atlantic City-would make it the second-largest gaming market behind Nevada, and that has some Atlantic City operators worried. Many, Trump included, had opposed legislation to legalize gambling in the Keystone State.
Two other Atlantic City operators, Harrah's Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment, are also looking into Pennsylvania now that the state has approved gaming, though their efforts could hinge on them completing a $9.4 billion merger between them first.
The state expects to begin awarding licenses in December, with the first gaming operations opening in 2006. Rendell and other Pennsylvania leaders hoped to have the slots operating this year, since revenues from gaming will largely go toward property tax relief. But the processes surrounding legalizing gaming took longer than initially expected.
"For me, I would like for it to have started yesterday," Rendell said.
-Andy Holtmann
