Harrahs betting on the Chester Casino

11.09.2006, Lesen Sie hier den Bericht über «Harrahs betting on the Chester Casino»

CHESTER -- Though the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is not expected to issue permanent licenses for slots parlors to operate until later in the year, "Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack" remains the name Harrah’s is using for its newest facility behind the state prison on Route 291.

The racing part, at least, is set to begin Sunday, according to Harrah’s officials, and Vince Donlevie, general manager and vice president of Harrah’s Chester, is excited to see the venue up and running.

"This is the first big step in this process, and we’re excited about the opportunity to open the facility up and start the racing process," said Donlevie, a local boy-made-good with close ties to Chester.

The horse-racing end of things will require about 175 employees, though once the facility introduces slots in January, that should rise to 950 or 1,000 employees.

Donlevie said Harrah’s had been targeting Chester residents in particular with job forums, vendor forums, job fairs and by donating $500,000 to the Delaware County Workforce Investment Board.

"It’s going to create jobs in the city, it’s going to create taxes for the city, which the city is going to have an opportunity to really take advantage of to improve the life of their people," Donlevie said, as Chester is targeted to receive $10 million annually (less in the first year), and the county will receive $6 million to $10 million annually.

"We’ve seen nothing but positives. The town of Chester has welcomed us with open arms, and I really applaud them for seeing the future and (being) willing to create a new future for the city," said Donlevie. "I think in general, we’ve had very, very positive reactions from just about everybody we’ve talked to."

Harrah’s is one of two gaming companies -- the other being the Pennsylvania-based Penn National Gaming -- largely credited with the rejuvenation of Joliet, Ill., which county and city officials recently toured.

Joliet, once a manufacturing town, had a 26 percent unemployment rate by the early 1990s. It was during this time that the city enacted a development plan that carries on today, much like Chester’s own redevelopment plan begun 10 years ago.

Joliet’s unemployment rate is now down to 6 percent, and the population has increased from 106,221 in 2000 to nearly 130,000 by 2005 U.S. Census estimates. To date, property values there have risen more than $128 million.

A major piece of Joliet’s renaissance involved funneling 90 percent of gaming revenue back into neighborhood-improvement programs, museums, a minor-league ballpark and other attractions.

Tom Thanas, regional counsel for Harrah’s stationed in Joliet, was city solicitor when riverboat gambling first came to town and helped draft the agreement between the casinos and the city.

"It’s a sense of amazement that we went from basically being embarrassed of our city, because it had nothing to offer to keep the youth in town, and now it’s become an amazing place," said Thanas.

"I think most residents will attribute the success of Joliet to the two riverboat casinos that generated the revenue stream that allowed the city to do what it couldn’t have done (otherwise)."

Results in Tunica, Miss., once dubbed the poorest town in America, have not been as dramatic, said Brooks Taylor, editor and publisher of the Tunica Times, but an influx of casinos there has had an overall positive impact.

A rural town, Tunica had an unemployment rate on par with Joliet’s when casinos arrived, though it hasn’t seen the kind of influx of people Joliet has since.

Crime and drugs have also popped up, and the city has had to improve and update amenities, build a new jail and courthouse, improve fire department coverage, sewage and the like.

Restaurants have also not benefited as much as they likely expected, said Taylor, who added it’s difficult to compete when casinos give food away.

On the other hand, Tunica now has an Olympic-size pool, recreation centers in three different areas of the county, and more money going into education.

Harrah’s is also a good corporate- and community-minded neighbor, said Taylor, though much of the philanthropic efforts go to nearby Memphis, Tenn.

"I don’t know anybody in Tunica, but I can tell you our company has high integrity," said Donlevie. "We’ve got serious commitment, where we’ve got something called the ‘Code Commitment,’ where we’re committed to being good public citizens, part of the business community, good employers, focused on responsible gaming, doing the right thing."

Harrah’s employees already sit on several local boards, including the Library Board and the Institute of Economic Development Board. Donlevie himself sits on the Chamber of Commerce Board.

"Those are the kinds of things that our company does historically," said Donlevie. "But I think that the real piece is that we become business partners with the city in the sense of being involved and participating in the community." Daily Local News zwire.com

Über Harrah's Operating Company, Inc.:

Founded in 1937, Harrah´s Entertainment, Inc. is the world´s largest casino operator.

We operate 28 casinos in 12 states under the Harrah´s, Harveys, Horseshoe, Rio, and Showboat brand names. Our goal is to provide great customer service in exciting and entertaining environments, and become your overwhelming first choice for casino entertainment.

We concentrate on building loyalty and value for our customers, shareholders, employees, business partners, and communities by being the most service- oriented, technology-driven, geographically-diversified company in gaming. Enjoy your visit to our site. We look forward to your comments about us.

--- Ende Artikel / Pressemitteilung Harrahs betting on the Chester Casino ---


Weitere Informationen und Links:

Weitere Nachrichten der Gaming-Branche