SugarHouse Boss Says Philadelphia Shouldn't Have Another Casino
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- As the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board continues to struggle with who, if anyone, will get Philadelphia's second casino license (see related story), state lawmakers have heard emphatic testimony from the general manager of the city's existing casino that the gambling market in the region is already saturated.
Appearing before a state senate committee, Sugarhouse general manager Wendy Hamilton (top photo) today disputed the findings of a consultant hired by the legislature that the region can handle at least one more casino.
"The second Philadelphia license should be reissued to no one," she testified, "because this action right now will decimate the Southeast Pennsylvania casino industry."
More than three months since the public record was closed, the Gaming Control Board continues to wrestle with the issue of a second Philadelphia license. But chairman William Ryan, who also appeared at the hearing, would not comment on whether the length of deliberations signals the board may be heading toward not reissuing the license.
"All I can tell you is that the board is deliberating and working hard," he told KYW Newsradio today.
Ryan said the board has the prerogative to not reissue the license if it deems it in the best interest of the Commonwealth, adding that market saturation is an issue before the board.
