PITG Gaming Takes Slot Machine License 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted unanimously to give the only slot machine license in the city of Pittsburgh to PITG Gaming. Don Barden is the owner of the group, and he is planning on building a slot machine casino and entertainment complex on the North Shore, close to Heinz Field – where the Pittsburgh Steelers Play – and PNC Park – where the Pittsburgh Pirates Play. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are planning on meeting with the board to discuss why they rejected a slot machine casino from Isle of Capri Casinos – the only one in the group of applicants who had promised the Penguins that they would build them a new arena completely out of their own pockets. If Isle had received the slot machine license, they would have given the Penguins a brand new $290 million arena.

The Penguins did not immediately comment on the slot machine decision, but many feel that it is just a matter of time before the Penguins pack up shop and leave the city now. Barden’s proposal for the slot machine casino had included contributing some money to a new arena, but the Penguins would have to put money in as well.

"I am committed to what we said we were going to do," Barden said Wednesday. "We're going to fund $7.5 million a year for 30 years towards financing a new multipurpose arena."

Barden is planning on meeting with Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl to get moving on breaking ground for the new slot machine casino and working out the details of the new arena.  "It will be the largest of our operations and we're going to put a lot of attention on this project," Barden said. "We're going to get it going right away."

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