PITG wins license, Pens future in city uncertain

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t receive the gift they wanted for Christmas, while a man from… The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t receive the gift they wanted for Christmas, while a man from Detroit got exactly what he wanted.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Commission unanimously awarded Don Barden, the head of PITG Gaming LLC, Pittsburgh’s only casino license on Dec. 21 – the first step in a long process to bring gambling to the city. The controversial project could bring a significant increase in revenue to the state, but it also could signal the beginning of the end of the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

One of the losing bidders, Isle of Capri, pledged $290 million to construction of a new arena for the Penguins, whose lease at Mellon Arena expires at the end of June. The announcement of Barden’s winning bid sent shockwaves across the National Hockey League with rumors of the team relocating to areas like Kansas City or Houston.

“The decision by the Gaming Commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL,” Commissioner Gary Bettman wrote in a statement on the Penguins’ Web site. “The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain, and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation.”

A group of elected officials including Gov. Ed Rendell are currently developing proposals to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Plan B, supported by local politicians like Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, proposes that PITG Gaming give $7.5 million a year for 30 years to help pay for a new arena.

“We’re going to do everything that we can responsibly do to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh, and we’re going to try to do it quickly,” Gov. Rendell said in an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The proposed casino, which Barden said would be completed by March 2008, will be built on the North Shore next to the Carnegie Science Center.