Pocono presents check to Gov.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell accepted the state’s first $50 million check from Robert Soper, president and CEO of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, for a casino license in a ceremony conducted Friday at Genetti’s Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre.

The $50 million will be funneled into the state’s property tax relief fund.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will be the first slot machine casino to open in the Commonwealth on Tuesday morning, November 14. It’s Phase One Casino Project began in September of 2005 when the old grandstand was removed at Pocono Downs to make room for the $70 million project that includes a new 40,000 square foot addition.

The casino will house almost 1,100 slot machines on two floors along with a food court, bar and patio.

“When I thought about gaming in Pennsylvania, I always knew we would attract the best run casinos in the United States, and we have don exactly that,” Rendell said in praise of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, proprietors of the Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut.

Approximately 400 new employees have been hired for the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs' casino that will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Luzerne County Commissioner Todd Vonderheid also praised Soper and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority for the commitment they’ve shown to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

(Pocono release)

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