"This is a classic bait-and-switch," said Michael P. Ballezzi, executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, which represents about 4,000 members. "Greenwood Gaming is attempting to get away with a minimal investment at Philadelphia Park without investing the $300 million in a grand permanent casino it had originally promised during its licensure hearings.
"Rather than a premier destination, Philadelphia Park's casino could well be the worst in the state," he said. "This is unacceptable."
The casino said yesterday that it was not backing out of anything. Instead, it said, a revised master plan it submitted to the board April 5 was more ambitious than the original, because demand at the slots parlor has greatly exceeded expectations.
In the April petition, Greenwood asked for permission to add 12,500 square feet of casino and lounge space and 336 slot machines, which would bring its total number of slots to more than 2,400.
On Tuesday, the casino announced it had awarded $1 billion in payouts after just five months of operation. Philly Park averages about $8 million a day in payouts.
"The petition to the gaming board makes it abundantly clear that Philadelphia Park has not backed out of its commitment to develop and implement a master plan for the 450 acres of land it owns," a company statement said.
Robert Green, chairman and president of Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment Inc., which owns Greenwood Racing, said his team needed the additional time to make revisions to the expansion plan.
"Our investment at Philly Park is more than 10 times what we promised to the gaming control board for this point in time in our original proposal," Green said. "Our capital master plan will only enhance the facility and create a regional destination."
