Local community groups expressed concern over its proposed North Side location, home to PNC Park and Heinz Field and the increase in traffic congestion. Barden's proposal was generally considered a 'long-shot' for much of the application process because, unlike the competition, it lacked a large rewards program for gamblers and did not offer to pay for a replacement for the aging Mellon Arena. The proposal from PITG Gaming, LLC, a holding company owned by Don Barden's The Majestic Star Casino, LLC, was awarded one of five available 'Category 2' slots licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on December 20, 2006. The proposed plan suffered from questions about increases in traffic in the already-developed Station Square location. In 2005, then-Mayor Tom Murphy controversially said during a press luncheon that 'the fix is in' for Forest City's proposal.

The Station Square proposal was backed by major casino players, including Harrah's Entertainment and Forest City Enterprises. In a 'Plan B' negotiated by local political leaders, both the Majestic Star and Forest City agreed to pay $7.5 million a year for 30 years toward the construction of the new hockey arena. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and other local officials favored a deal from the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., which proposed to give the Pittsburgh Penguins $290 million to build a new arena in exchange for receiving the casino license. Four organizations entered the proposal process to win the Pittsburgh casino license: North Shore Gaming, LP, Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., Station Square Gaming, LP, and PITG Gaming, LLC. The 'Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act' authorized the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to issue up to 17 casino licenses, with at least 1 casino license reserved for the City of Pittsburgh. Barden, but financial troubles forced him to sell 75% of his interest in the casino to Holdings Acquisition Co on July 16, 2008. The casino was originally to be built by Don H. Located in Pittsburgh's Chateau neighborhood along the Ohio River, adjacent to the Carnegie Science Center and nearby Heinz Field and PNC Park, it had its groundbreaking in December 2007 and opened on August 9, 2009. L.P., a joint venture of Walton Street Capital LLC and High Pitt Gaming LP. The Rivers Casino is a casino in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh rivers casino hotel delay