Would-be Philadelphia casino operators will pitch their projects in public Feb. 12

The six groups vying for the city's second casino license will have a chance to pitch their projects at a public forum scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 12 at the Convention Center.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said the session is only for disseminating information in advance of public hearings.

"It is important that the board place as much information as possible in the public domain prior to accepting comment from citizens," Chairman William H. Ryan Jr. said.

While the February session will not allow for public comment, the later hearings will include time for neighbors, government officials, community groups and other interested parties, he added.

The board said those hearings, at the Convention Center, would be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 11 and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 12.

If needed, the board will schedule additional days for public input.

Groups that want to address the board may begin registering through the gaming board's website on March 4. Commissioners also will accept written comments at that time.

Ryan said the full-day forum, coupled with information posted on the board's website, would "allow everyone the opportunity to see firsthand the plans for each of these casinos."

After the sessions in April, the board will schedule individual hearings to examine the suitability of each project. Those hearings will likely be in late summer or early fall, the board said.

Under Pennsylvania law, groups that believe they have legal standing to intervene in the decision-making - such as other licensed casino operators - will have to petition the board at least 45 days before the suitability hearings.

The gaming board said the Feb. 12 presentations and the April hearings would be streamed live and recorded for later viewing on the agency's website (www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov).

The applicants include three groups with projects proposed in South Philadelphia near Packer Avenue: Casino Revolution near Front Street, Hollywood Casino at Seventh Street, and Live! Hotel and Casino at Ninth Street.

Developer Bart Blatstein is pitching the Provence at Broad and Callowhill Streets; casino operator Steve Wynn is supporting Wynn Philadelphia on the Delaware River waterfront in Fishtown; and developer Ken Goldenberg has a Center City proposal at Eighth and Market Streets.