Pennsylvania racino a hit for Cannery Resorts

Cannery Casino Resorts co-owner Bill Paulos Tuesday called the company's first out-of-state venture, a $50 million temporary racino 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, a success.

The 1,738-slot machine complex opened next to the Meadows harness racetrack in Washington County. The 82,000-square-foot facility also includes a restaurant, snack bar and a sports bar.

Paulos said the company was pleased with the opening day. About 10,000 people visited the property in the first 11 hours.

"We had a terrific day, a very successful day," Paulos said. "People were very happy with the facility and with the slot machines. It went very, very well."

A permanent $155 million Meadows Racetrack & Casino is scheduled to open in 2009.

The 350,000-square-foot, 3,000-slot complex will be integrated with the racetrack. A covered grandstand, a restaurant overlooking the track and a 200-seat simulcast area and additional food areas will be part of the two-story structure.

The gaming company purchased the 5/8-mile track in 2005 and hired racetrack operators Magna Entertainment Corp. to oversee its operations.

Monday's opening followed two test nights that generated $2.9 million in wagers and raised $121,597 for an area food bank and hospital.

The casino is the fifth racino in Pennsylvania. Harrah's Entertainment, MTR Gaming Group, Penn National Gaming and the Mohegan Tribe already operate in the state. Las Vegas Sands Corp. is the only other Nevada-based operator to obtain a license to operate in Pennsylvania, winning the entitlement in December.

Pennsylvania lawmakers in July 2004 approved as many as 61,000 slot machines for 14 sites, making it the 36th state with casino gambling.

Paulos and partner William Wortman own 58 percent of Cannery Casino Resorts. A subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Management, an investment management group, owns the rest.

Cannery Casino Resorts owns the Cannery in North Las Vegas and is building a $250 million Eastside Cannery that will replace Nevada Palace on Boulder Highway.

The company also operates the Rampart Casino in the JW Marriott in Summerlin.