# AC's gaming giants have placed big bets on Pa.

Streep sizzles and boardwalks are not congested. No one would confuse Allentown, Limerick, Pennsylvania, Chester, Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

But some of the casino industry's celebrities are betting that the town could become the next high street on the gambling scene.

Four of the six companies operating 12 casinos in Atlantic City, which are rushing to meet the deadline, have applied for slot hauler licenses in Pennsylvania's nascent gaming market.

Void Gaming, owner of Bogata Hotel Casino & Spa, wants to build a $325 million gaming complex in Limerick Township, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Aztar Corp., the parent company of Tropicana Casino & Resorts, is looking to develop a $325 million gambling facility in Allentown's Lehigh Valley community.

Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest gaming company and owner of four Atlantic City casinos, is planning a racetrack and slot shop in Chester.

Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., which operates three Atlantic City casinos, has proposed offering $350 million in land on a former industrial site near Nicestown, Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania licensed a total of 14 games statewide, including two in Philadelphia, including seven for racetracks, two for resorts and five for standalone slot sales offices. Gambling is expected to begin in 2006 or 2007.

Trump, Boyd, Aztar and Harrer are just a few of the companies vying for Pennsylvania gaming licenses. Wednesday was the deadline to submit a licensing application, but the full list of would-be casino operators is expected to be announced by the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission next week.

The vast applications will take months for Pennsylvania authorities to review. They include sensitive information about individuals and businesses involved in the proposed casino project, including financial statements, tax returns, pension plans, previous business ventures and criminal history disclosures.

"It's a comprehensive investigation into whether it's appropriate to have a gaming license at the individual and corporate level," said Nick Hays, a spokesperson for the gaming board.

Hays noted that it will be as early as next summer before the board begins awarding licenses for racetrack casinos. At some point, licenses for standalone slot sales and resort locations will be granted.

Atlantic City casino operators once feared further competition raised by Pennsylvania, but now see Philadelphia and its surrounding markets as an opportunity to expand their holdings.

"We believe we have identified an excellent location to conveniently serve a growing large population with the highest level of gaming operations," said Rob Stillwell, a spokesman for Boyd Gaming.

Stillwell added that he did not believe Boyd's proposed limerick site or other Pennsylvania slot shops would hurt Bogata's customer base in Atlantic City.

"Atlantic cities are evolving into destinations," he said. "In Pennsylvania, you're talking about very specific projects scattered across strategic locations across Pennsylvania. There won't be a full-fledged Las Vegas-style resort like Bogata."

Aztar expects its proposed Allentown slot shop to bring more Pennsylvania gamblers a taste of the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. Allentown's design will bring out the colorful themes of Tropicana's Old Havana-style retail and entertainment complex named The Quarter.

Trump Entertainment will expand its Trump brand into the Philadelphia market through a proposed slot store at a former Bud Co. manufacturing site in the Nicetown neighborhood. Called the Trump Street Casino and Entertainment Complex, the project will take advantage of casino mogul Donald Trump's famous name.

Trump Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer James B. Perry said Philadelphia is part of the company's strategic plan to diversify outside Atlantic City.

"We are currently investigating numerous options to grow the company and build on the power of the Trump brand," Perry said in a statement, adding, "Trump Street represents a tremendous opportunity to engage in critical projects to create value for our shareholders."

Trump's project includes a partnership with a local investment group comprising former Philadelphia 76ers president Pat Croce, a member of the R&B group Boys to Men, and Pete Sierroch, owner of the Chikis & Pitt chain in Philadelphia.

Trump Entertainment on Wednesday unveiled details of its architectural renders and projects, saying the gaming site will include 3,000 slot machines, three theater movie complexes, retail stores and a variety of restaurants and entertainment attractions featuring Philadelphia flavors. [홀짝게임](https://www.runarchery.kr/20/)

"Trump Street is designed as an entertainment destination that pays homage to the rich culture of the city of Philadelphia," Cross said in a statement.