The choice of Mount Airy Resort and Casino in Pennsylvania’s Poconos has been approved by the state’s Supreme Court despite a legal objection by a New Jersey developer. The court ruled unanimously in favour of the Louis DeNaples project selected by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), and the first of five stand-alone slots venues is now expected to open on schedule in October.

The Mount Airy Resort and Casino project was just one of four of the five licences granted by the PGCB for stand-alone casinos to be appealed by losing applicants, who include Isle of Capri and Planet Hollywood investors. There are so far no rulings on the other three cases. The US$412 million investment on the site of the Mount Airy Lodge will include a 200-room hotel in November with 200 additional rooms next year.

The reasons submitted for the appeal by the New Jersey developer were described by the court as specious or otherwise ungrounded. Concerns about DeNaples’ background had been adequately investigated before the decision was made to grant him a licence, the court decided. Mount Airy Resort and Casino will now be able to operate up to 5,000 slot machines. (E-07.13.07)

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