Representatives of Harrah's, the Las Vegas casino operator, met with the owners of Station Square on Wednesday to discuss a possible slot machine casino at the popular riverfront entertainment spot.

Gary Thompson, a spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment, said yesterday the company is interested in being partners with Forest City Enterprises, the Station Square owner, in the venture.

Although Harrah's, which operates 26 casinos in 13 states, hasn't decided for sure yet whether it will pursue the state gaming license to be awarded for a standalone casino in Pittsburgh, it definitely has an interest in the project, Thompson said.

Harrah's sold most of Station Square to Forest City in 1998 but retained the option to build a casino there through 2007. Thompson said the firm, under that option, has the right to develop a slots parlor on land to the east or the west of the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Pittsburgh.

"We need to know what the process [for securing a license] is. It's so early in the development of the process, it's hard to say," Thompson said. "Obviously, we acquired the option with an eye toward certainly competing in the process. Until we know all the parameters, it's too early to make a definitive response."

Al Ratner, co-chairman of Forest City's board, refused to comment on whether the company had talked to Harrah's about a Station Square casino or any other aspect of the project.

"We're not in a position to make any comment about anything until it's ready to be disclosed," he said.

Harrah's would be facing stiff competition for the license.

Others interested in securing the standalone casino are Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, who is promising to build a new arena with gambling revenues; Pittsburgh parking magnate Merrill Stabile, who also wants to team up with a national gambling operator to build a casino on the North Shore near PNC Park; and developer Charles J. Betters, who may pursue a casino license as part of a proposed $500 million horse track and residential development in Hays.

Thompson said Harrah's believes it has the "best site in the Pittsburgh market" for a slots parlor.

The company has a 50 percent interest in the Chester Downs harness racing track and marina near Philadelphia. That facility also could end up with a slots parlor under the legislation approved last weekend.

Post-Gazette
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