Rivers Casino (Pittsburgh)

Application process

The "Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act" authorized the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to issue up to 17 casino licenses, with at least 1 casino license reserved for the City of Pittsburgh. Four organizations entered the proposal process to win the Pittsburgh casino license: North Shore Gaming, LP, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Station Square Gaming, LP, and PITG Gaming, LLC. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and other local officials favored a proposal from the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., which proposed to give the Pittsburgh Penguins $290 million to build a new arena. In a "Plan B" negotiated by local political leaders, both the Majestic Star and Forest City agreed to pay $7.5 million a year for 30 years toward the construction of the new hockey arena. The Station Square proposal was backed by major casino players, including Harrah's Entertainment and Forest City Enterprises. In 2005, then-Mayor Tom Murphy controversially said during a press luncheon that "the fix is in" for Forest City's proposal. The proposed plan suffered from questions about increases in traffic in the already-developed Station Square location.

The proposal from PITG Gaming, LLC, a holding company owned by Don Barden's The Majestic Star Casino, LLC, was awarded one of five available "Category 2" slots licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on December 20, 2006. Barden's proposal was generally considered a "long-shot" for much of the application process because, unlike the competition, it lacked a large rewards program for gamblers and did not offer to pay for a replacement for the aging Mellon Arena. Local community groups expressed concern over its proposed North Side location, home to PNC Park and Heinz Field and the increase in traffic congestion.

Barden and PITG Gaming, LLC, were awarded the casino license in December 2006. Several lawsuits were filed by the losing applicants challenging the Gaming Board's decision, but they were not successful. Early construction delays were blamed on the suits.

Construction

Ground was broken on the casino's North Shore in December 2007. In July 2008, Barden defaulted on a $200 million bridge loan and failed to pay contractors, halting construction. On July 16, 2008 he sold 75% of his interest to Holdings Acquisition Co, a joint venture of Walton Street Capital LLC and High Pitt Gaming LP and led by Neil Bluhm. The ownership changes were approved by the Gaming Board on August 14, 2008 and construction on the casino restarted. In November 2008, the new owners changed the casino's name to "Rivers Casino" to reflect its location near the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.

Grand Opening

The Rivers Casino opened as scheduled at noon on August 9, 2009.

Taxes

The Rivers Casino is reported to be worth $199.5 million to Allegheny County at least for taxing purposes. That's the assessed value the county has placed on the North Shore riverfront venue for the 2010 tax year. The value was calculated based on construction costs of the casino and surrounding parcels. The $199.5 million assessed value is the largest on any commercial property in Allegheny County and the largest on any casino in Pennsylvania. (According to Allegheny County real estate records, 600 Grant St. 15219 (the tallest building in Pittsburgh), is valued at $175 Million). Barring an appeal, it will produce $935,655 in property tax revenue for the county, $2.77 million for city schools, and $2.15 million for the city. The casino, the school district and the city all have the right to appeal the value if they so choose.

Dining & Entertainment

Rivers Casino has four restaurants, and a 5th new venue to be added by the players club: Grand View Buffet, Ciao, West End Cafe, and Andrew's Steak & Seafood. It also has four bars: Spiral Bar, Drum Bar, Levels, and Wheelhouse. In the fall of 2009, the casino opened a coat room, open till 6pm Sunday through Thursday and until 2 am closing time on Fridays and Saturdays. The casino also has a night club and a 1,000 seat outdoor amphitheater.

Rewards Club

Rivers Casino offers a rewards club, the Rush Rewards Players Club. It has various rewards based on play level. Some rewards include: free slot play, free monthly gifts, and free/discounted food offers.

Table Games

Table games opened to the general public in July 2010

As table games have succeeded financially, management officials announced plans in January 2011 to add several additional table game: by Spring 2011 Rivers Casino will have a total of 107 games. The Casino is also in the process of adding a $2 million ballroom in a massive 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m²) corner space on the second floor, with views of the riverfront and Downtown skyline. It is expected to be ready by late summer 2011

Banned Players

Rivers Casino abides by Pennsylvania State Law that allows any patron of the casino to put themselves on a "Do Not Play" list. If a patron on the list enters the casino, they can be prosecuted for trespassing.