Gov. Rendell this morning said it is a "fair question" for the state General Assembly and the Gaming Control Board to consider whether Philadelphia needs a second casino. The Gaming Control Board on Dec. 16 revoked the license for a group of local investors with close political ties to Rendell who planned to open a casino on Columbus Boulevard at Reed Street in South Philly.
Rendell noted that SugarHouse is open for business on Delaware Avenue in Fishtown while the Parx Casino in Bensalem and Harrah's in Chester are just a short drive on Interstate 95. There is also the chance of a smaller resort style casino in Valley Forge. Rendell said he wants Pennsylvania casinos to take business from surrounding states but not from each other.
"I think we'll have to take a look at that and see if there's another part of the state that is under-served," Rendell said. "The one thing we don't want to do is cannibalize business. So I think it's a fair suggestion that someone take a look at that."
As we reported on Dec. 23, there are Republican and Democratic legislators in Harrisburg preparing legislation to alter the 2004 state law that guaranteed two casinos in Philadelphia. The local investors behind the Philadelphia casino that would have been called Foxwoods are expected to file a legal challenge to the Gaming Control Board's decision to revoke their license.