Senator: Lack of Diversity in Philly Casino License

Here’s a statement from Sen. Vincent Hughes that’s come across the transom in the wake of the announcement that the PA Gaming Control Board has awarded the second casino license to Stadium Casino LLC, aka Live! Hotel and Casino:

“I am extremely disappointed to learn that qualified minority-owned companies will not be given the opportunity to participate in Pennsylvania’s gaming industry. The Gaming Control Board had an opportunity to ensure that the second casino license in Philadelphia was awarded to an investor group that reflected the demographics of our city. That did not happen. This is another missed opportunity to promote minority-owned businesses in a statewide industry that has been very successful thus far with the exception of diversity.

“I voted for the law that authorized gaming in Pennsylvania partially because of assurances that minority-owned businesses would be given a chance to fully participate in the industry. Clearly, that has not been the reality in Philadelphia or across the state. I hope that going forward the Gaming Control Board will pay closer attention to issues related to diversity and make sure that minority-owned companies are able to share in the economic opportunities offered by this new industry.”