Rivers Casino
Encyclopedia
The Rivers Casino is a casino
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, USA
. It is owned by Holdings Acquisition Co. L.P., a joint venture of Walton Street Capital LLC and High Pitt Gaming LP. Located in Pittsburgh's Chateau
neighborhood along the Ohio River
and adjacent to the Carnegie Science Center
, it had its groundbreaking in December 2007 and opened on August 9, 2009. The casino was originally to be built by Don H. Barden
, but financial troubles forced him to sell 75% of his interest in the casino to Holdings Acquisition Co on July 16, 2008. The casino has 3,000 slot machines.
to issue up to 17 casino licenses, with at least 1 casino license reserved for the City of Pittsburgh. Four organizations entered the proposal process to win the Pittsburgh casino license: North Shore Gaming, LP, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Station Square Gaming, LP, and PITG Gaming, LLC.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
and other local officials favored a proposal from the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.
, which proposed to give the Pittsburgh Penguins
$290 million to build a new arena. In a "Plan B" negotiated by local political leaders, both the Majestic Star and Forest City agreed to pay $7.5 million a year for 30 years toward the construction of the new hockey arena.
The Station Square proposal was backed by major casino players, including Harrah's Entertainment
and Forest City Enterprises
. In 2005, then-Mayor Tom Murphy
controversially said during a press luncheon that "the fix is in" for Forest City's proposal. The proposed plan suffered from questions about increases in traffic in the already-developed Station Square location.
The proposal from PITG Gaming, LLC, a holding company owned by Don Barden's The Majestic Star Casino, LLC
, was awarded one of five available "Category 2" slots licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
on December 20, 2006. Barden's proposal was generally considered a "long-shot" for much of the application process because, unlike the competition, it lacked a large rewards program for gamblers and did not offer to pay for a replacement for the aging Mellon Arena
. Local community groups expressed concern over its proposed North Side location, home to PNC Park
and Heinz Field
and the increase in traffic congestion.
Barden and PITG Gaming, LLC, were awarded the casino license in December 2006. Several lawsuits were filed by the losing applicants challenging the Gaming Board's decision, but they were not successful. Early construction delays were blamed on the suits.
. The ownership changes were approved by the Gaming Board on August 14, 2008 and construction on the casino restarted. In November 2008, the new owners changed the casino's name to "Rivers Casino" to reflect its location near the confluence of the Allegheny
, Monongahela
and Ohio
rivers.
Table games have succeeded financially. In January 2011, management officials at the casino announced their intentions to bring in several additional table games to meet the demand. By Spring 2011 Rivers Casino will have a total of 107 Tables games. With the additional Table Games being added the Casino is also in the works of adding a $2 million ballroom. The Ballroom will be in a massive 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) corner space on the second floor, with views of the riverfront and Downtown skyline. The Ballroom will be marketed for formal events, Weddings, private parties and other large gatherings. The Ballroom is expected to be ready by late summer 2011
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11027/1120904-28.stm#ixzz1ChHA4wgM
40.447404°N 80.022697°W
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is owned by Holdings Acquisition Co. L.P., a joint venture of Walton Street Capital LLC and High Pitt Gaming LP. Located in Pittsburgh's Chateau
Chateau (Pittsburgh)
Chateau is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's north city area. It has a zip code of 15233, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 6 . It is on the banks of the Ohio River and is separated from the neighborhood of Manchester by PA Route 65.As...
neighborhood along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
and adjacent to the Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center, located in the Chateau neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, opened in 1991.With a history that dates to October 24, 1939, the Carnegie Science Center is the most visited museum in Pittsburgh...
, it had its groundbreaking in December 2007 and opened on August 9, 2009. The casino was originally to be built by Don H. Barden
Don H. Barden
Donald Hamilton Barden was an American casino executive.Barden was the Manager, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Majestic Star Casino, LLC since its formation, with responsibility for key policy making functions...
, but financial troubles forced him to sell 75% of his interest in the casino to Holdings Acquisition Co on July 16, 2008. The casino has 3,000 slot machines.
Application process
The "Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act" authorized the Pennsylvania Gaming Control BoardPennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is a governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded in 2004 as the state licensing and regulatory agency responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state....
to issue up to 17 casino licenses, with at least 1 casino license reserved for the City of Pittsburgh. Four organizations entered the proposal process to win the Pittsburgh casino license: North Shore Gaming, LP, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Station Square Gaming, LP, and PITG Gaming, LLC.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Ravenstahl
Luke Robert Ravenstahl is the current Mayor of Pittsburgh. In September 2006, he became the youngest mayor in Pittsburgh's history at the age of 26. He is among the youngest mayors of a major city in American history....
and other local officials favored a proposal from the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.
Isle of Capri Casinos
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. is a gaming company headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri which operates casinos and associated entertainment and lodging facilities in the United States and abroad....
, which proposed to give the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
$290 million to build a new arena. In a "Plan B" negotiated by local political leaders, both the Majestic Star and Forest City agreed to pay $7.5 million a year for 30 years toward the construction of the new hockey arena.
The Station Square proposal was backed by major casino players, including Harrah's Entertainment
Harrah's Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment Corporation is a private gaming corporation that owns and operates over 50 casinos, hotels, and seven golf courses under several brands. The company, based in Paradise, Nevada, is the largest gaming company in the world, with yearly revenues $8.9 billion...
and Forest City Enterprises
Forest City Enterprises
Forest City Enterprises is a $9-billion diversified real estate management and development company based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Its portfolio includes interests in retail centers, apartment communities, office buildings and mixed-use projects in the U.S...
. In 2005, then-Mayor Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy (mayor)
Thomas J. "Tom" Murphy, Jr. is a Democratic politician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From January 1994 until January 2006 he served as mayor of Pittsburgh...
controversially said during a press luncheon that "the fix is in" for Forest City's proposal. The proposed plan suffered from questions about increases in traffic in the already-developed Station Square location.
The proposal from PITG Gaming, LLC, a holding company owned by Don Barden's The Majestic Star Casino, LLC
The Majestic Star Casino, LLC
The Majestic Star Casino, LLC is a gaming holding company founded in Gary, Indiana by Don H. Barden. Now based in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is the largest black-owned casino operator in the United States and the first and only black-owned casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.As of the end of 2005, the company...
, was awarded one of five available "Category 2" slots licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is a governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded in 2004 as the state licensing and regulatory agency responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state....
on December 20, 2006. Barden's proposal was generally considered a "long-shot" for much of the application process because, unlike the competition, it lacked a large rewards program for gamblers and did not offer to pay for a replacement for the aging Mellon Arena
Mellon Arena
Civic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
. Local community groups expressed concern over its proposed North Side location, home to PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
and Heinz Field
Heinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
and the increase in traffic congestion.
Barden and PITG Gaming, LLC, were awarded the casino license in December 2006. Several lawsuits were filed by the losing applicants challenging the Gaming Board's decision, but they were not successful. Early construction delays were blamed on the suits.
Construction
Ground was broken on the casino's North Shore in December 2007. In July 2008, Barden defaulted on a $200 million bridge loan and failed to pay contractors, halting construction.On July 16, 2008 he sold 75% of his interest to Holdings Acquisition Co, a joint venture of Walton Street Capital LLC and High Pitt Gaming LP and led by Neil BluhmNeil Bluhm
-Biography:Neil Bluhm was born in 1938. His father left home when he was 13, and his mother worked as a bookkeeper. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana and received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Northwestern University....
. The ownership changes were approved by the Gaming Board on August 14, 2008 and construction on the casino restarted. In November 2008, the new owners changed the casino's name to "Rivers Casino" to reflect its location near the confluence of the Allegheny
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, Monongahela
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
and Ohio
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
rivers.
Taxes
The Rivers Casino is reported to be worth $199.5 million to Allegheny County at least for taxing purposes. That's the assessed value the county has placed on the North Shore riverfront venue for the 2010 tax year. The value was calculated based on construction costs of the casino and surrounding parcels. The $199.5 million assessed value is the largest on any commercial property in Allegheny County and the largest on any casino in Pennsylvania. (According to Allegheny County real estate records, 600 Grant St. 15219 (the tallest building in Pittsburgh), is valued at $175 Million). Barring an appeal, it will produce $935,655 in property tax revenue for the county, $2.77 million for city schools, and $2.15 million for the city. The casino, the school district and the city all have the right to appeal the value if they so choose.Dining & Entertainment
Rivers Casino has four restaurants: Grand View Buffet, Ciao, West End Cafe, and Andrew's Steak & Seafood. It also has four bars: Spiral Bar, Drum Bar, Levels, and Wheelhouse. In the fall of 2009, the casino opened a coat room, open till 6pm Sunday though Thursday and until 2 am closing time on Fridays and Saturdays. The casino also has a night club and a 1,000 seat outdoor amphitheater.Rewards Club
Rivers Casino offers a rewards club, the Rivers Edge Players Club. It has various rewards based on play level. Some rewards include: free slot play, free monthly gifts, and free/discounted food offers.Table Games
On July 6th, 2010, The Rivers Casino hosted an "invite only, test date" for casino table games, with the proceeds being donated to the Mario Lemieux foundation. The test runs were successful, and at 6:00 a.m. on July 8th, 2010, the table games opened to the general public.Table games have succeeded financially. In January 2011, management officials at the casino announced their intentions to bring in several additional table games to meet the demand. By Spring 2011 Rivers Casino will have a total of 107 Tables games. With the additional Table Games being added the Casino is also in the works of adding a $2 million ballroom. The Ballroom will be in a massive 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) corner space on the second floor, with views of the riverfront and Downtown skyline. The Ballroom will be marketed for formal events, Weddings, private parties and other large gatherings. The Ballroom is expected to be ready by late summer 2011
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11027/1120904-28.stm#ixzz1ChHA4wgM
External links
- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11027/1120904-28.stm
- Original Majestic Star Casino design by STRADA, LLC
- City of Pittsburgh's Traffic Report for Majectic Star Casino
- PA Gaming Control Board's Order Granting PITG's application
- PA Gaming Control Board's Final Adjudication on challenges to PITG's application
40.447404°N 80.022697°W