chesteryes.com ::

News May 14, 2010 Table games approved for Harrah’s Chester By PAUL LUCE pluce@delcotimes.com HARRISBURG — State officials have approved Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack for table games. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the petition of the casino’s operator, Chester Downs and Marina LLC at a hearing Thursday. Harrah’s Chester General Manager and Senior Vice President Vince Donlevie said pending final approval by the state, the casino could be ready to move forward as soon as this summer. During the hearing, casino representatives said 681 new jobs would be created to help support the casino’s expansion into table games. “Everything is moving right along,” Donlevie said Thursday evening. “It certainly means they feel we’re suitable to operate table games in Pennsylvania.” Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chairman Greg Fajt said he was pleased with the work of his staff in moving the process forward. “There is still much work ahead within our agency and at the casinos, but I remain confident that we will meet the timetable envisioned by the Legislature and the public when the table games law was passed in January,” Fajt said. Senate Bill 711, now Act 1 of 2010, provides authorization for existing Pennsylvania casinos to conduct table games through the filing of a petition with, and approval by, the Gaming Control Board. Harrah’s finished its public hearing prior to Thursday’s regular board meeting, a process that began April 20 with a public input hearing in Chester. Chester Economic Development Authority President Dave Sciocchetti said anytime 600-plus jobs are added to the local economy, it’s a very good thing. Sciocchetti also said legislation crafted by state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9, of Chester, with the help of Chester Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr., allows proceeds of table games to help defray the cost of Delaware County Community College for Chester Upland students. “There is more than one positive aspect to this,” he said. At Thursday’s board meeting, casino representatives said Harrah’s would be able to pay the state-mandated $16.5 million table games certification fee by June 1. Over $19 million will be dedicated toward expansion of the current facility to accommodate table games, a process that will create an additional 85 construction jobs, casino officials said. In the wake of a six-hour “Mega Job Fair” held May 11, Donlevie said the casino is still looking to hire roughly 150 employees. Another career fair is scheduled for Monday, he said. “We hope to see more folks come down,” said Donlevie. The Associated Press contributed to this article.

News
May 14, 2010

Table games approved for Harrah’s Chester
By PAUL LUCE
pluce@delcotimes.com

HARRISBURG — State officials have approved Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack for table games.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the petition of the casino’s operator, Chester Downs and Marina LLC at a hearing Thursday. Harrah’s Chester General Manager and Senior Vice President Vince Donlevie said pending final approval by the state, the casino could be ready to move forward as soon as this summer.

During the hearing, casino representatives said 681 new jobs would be created to help support the casino’s expansion into table games.

“Everything is moving right along,” Donlevie said Thursday evening. “It certainly means they feel we’re suitable to operate table games in Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chairman Greg Fajt said he was pleased with the work of his staff in moving the process forward.

“There is still much work ahead within our agency and at the casinos, but I remain confident that we will meet the timetable envisioned by the Legislature and the public when the table games law was passed in January,” Fajt said.

Senate Bill 711, now Act 1 of 2010, provides authorization for existing Pennsylvania casinos to conduct table games through the filing of a petition with, and approval by, the Gaming Control Board.

Harrah’s finished its public hearing prior to Thursday’s regular board meeting, a process that began April 20 with a public input hearing in Chester.

Chester Economic Development Authority President Dave Sciocchetti said anytime 600-plus jobs are added to the local economy, it’s a very good thing.

Sciocchetti also said legislation crafted by state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9, of Chester, with the help of Chester Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr., allows proceeds of table games to help defray the cost of Delaware County Community College for Chester Upland students.

“There is more than one positive aspect to this,” he said.

At Thursday’s board meeting, casino representatives said Harrah’s would be able to pay the state-mandated $16.5 million table games certification fee by June 1.

Over $19 million will be dedicated toward expansion of the current facility to accommodate table games, a process that will create an additional 85 construction jobs, casino officials said.

In the wake of a six-hour “Mega Job Fair” held May 11, Donlevie said the casino is still looking to hire roughly 150 employees. Another career fair is scheduled for Monday, he said.

“We hope to see more folks come down,” said Donlevie.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.