Valley View Downs Fails to Get a Temporary Slots License

On July 11th, 2008, the agreement to construct a Lawrence County racing track and casino could collapse after the Gaming Control Board dismissed an eleventh hour appeal by the proposed racino's developer for temporary slots license. The investors involvement to Indianapolis-based Centaur Incorporated's $455 million financial package, finalize before the turmoil on the credit market, will expire on July 15th, 2008.

The lawyer for Centaur Incorporated, William Lamb commented that the whole thing could go down the drain if they will not be given a temporary slots license. Residents near the proposed located of the Valley View Downs racing track and casino had voiced their approval for the project at a public hearing in March 2008. County Commissioner Dan Vogler commented that the facility was expected to become the county's 2nd biggest employer.

Frank Telesz, an electrician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and a member of the Lawrence County Planning Commission commented that union employees expected to find a lot of jobs at the project since the construction of the Beaver Valley nuclear power station. But some members of the anti-casino group, No Dice PA commented that it is not the job of the board to grant Centaur Incorporated an immediate slots license and Centaur should have wait for their permanent license before going ahead with their plans.

Centaur is the only gaming company in the state of Pennsylvania with a license to manage a racing track but not a casino facility. There is a single remaining license for such a racing track so the dismissal puts some doubt in the issue on how that remaining license will be given if the financing for the Valley View Downs project goes down the drain.

Sunday, 03 August 2008
Cindy Alfonso