PEDP goes to court to keep license
Philadelphia Entertainment Development Partners Friday took the fight to save its casino license to Commonwealth Court, filing an appeal against the state gaming board’s decision to revoke.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board yanked the license of the casino that has been called Foxwoods, but which PEDP and its would-be new partner Caesars would call Horseshoe, in December. The board revoked the license at the recommendation of its enforcement arm, saying PEDP had failed to meet deadlines or to remain financially suitable – charges PEDP denies.
The board has not yet released the detailed adjudication which will thoroughly outline its reasons for revocation.
It also never ruled on a PEDP request to reconsider the revocation, which included more details on financing and the partnership agreement with Caesars. That issue is now moot because the matter has been taken to court. While a reconsideration would have been less expensive and likely faster, PEDP could not wait much longer for the board to decide whether to reconsider; the deadline to file the court appeal is Monday.
While PEDP fights to keep its license and continue with plans to build at Washington Avenue and Reed Street in South Philadelphia, the House Gaming Oversight Committee will Thursday consider a legislative proposal that would re-open the search for the license statewide, and award it to the highest bidder from across the commonwealth.
Read PEDP’s letter to the court here.
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