Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has a message for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Make a decision, already.
More than a year after applications closed, and nine months after public hearings on the original field of six contenders for the second Philadelphia casino license, the gaming board—which originally projected a decision by April 2014—has yet to decide on the license, from a field that subsequently has shrunk to four applicants—Market8 at 8th and Market Streets; the Provence at Broad and Callowhill Streets; Philadelphia Live! at 900 Packer Ave.; and Casino Revolution at Front Street and Pattison Avenue.
A the conference of the International Association of Gaming Regulators, Nutter told the board its decision is overdue. “The record’s been closed for some time,” he said. “Taking action is very important.” He added that the action should be “decisive,” and said doing nothing is “the worst.”
Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer after the conference, gaming board member Gregory C. Fajt, who had introduced Nutter to the gathered crowd, said, “The mayor is anxious for us to make a decision. We’re still deliberating, and hopefully, we’ll make a decision soon.”
There has been speculation among media and lawmakers that the decision could be a no-decision. Several lawmakers have joined officials of SugarHouse, the sole casino operating in Philadelphia currently, in urging the board to put off any decision on the second Philadelphia license due to oversaturation of the Northeast gaming market. SugarHouse officials appeared at board hearings to testify that the glut of casinos—including four in the immediate Philadelphia area—means that a new Philadelphia casino will simply drain revenues from the current properties.
