SHENANGO TOWNSHIP Businessman Winner considers pursuing slot machine license

SHARON, Pa. -- Businessman James E. Winner Jr. said he could have an interest in securing one of the state slot machine parlor licenses.
Winner said Monday that, should he pursue the matter, it will be through his Winner Hotel Group company.
He said he would like to see a slot machine parlor built on ground adjacent to the Radisson Hotel of Sharon, property he owns in Shenango Township at the intersection of Interstate 80, Pa. Route 60 and Pa. Route 18.
He owns adequate land behind the Radisson for such a project, he said.
Paid lobbyist
Winner said he did use a lobbyist to help look at the possibility of securing the gaming license. His was one of 34 businesses and individuals that paid $575,000 to a group of lobbyists involved in an effort to help shape the final version of the state's slot machine bill, which became law in July.
The final version authorized 61,000 slot machines at seven horse racetracks, five stand-alone parlors and two resorts.
Winner said he's not at the point of submitting any application with the state, but he is working with AztarCorp., the owner of Tropicana hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Aztar is doing a marketing study to determine if a parlor plan here is feasible.
Aztar would operate the slots parlor, if one is allocated here, Winner said.