Pocono News Section

State Gaming Board Controls Mt. Airy Casino

State Gaming Board Controls Mt. Airy Casino - Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 6:04PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008 @06:04pm EST
PARADISE TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY- Dunmore businessman Louis DeNaples is following orders today from the State Gaming Control Board.

DeNaples isn't allowed any control over his cash cow of a casino, but someone or some people certainly didn't want WBRE-TV at Mount Airy’s Casino Resort. Our news crews were kicked out once, allowed back in by the State Gaming Control Board, and then we were escorted again off the property after an impromptu press conference Thursday afternoon.

However it was business as usual inside the Mount Airy Casino Resort one day after owner Louis DeNaples was charged with four counts of perjury for allegedly lying about his ties to the mob.

But, WBRE didn't get very far filming at the $360,000,000.00 facility. Security guards abruptly stopped us outside the gaming floor. They then escorted our news crew outside, before following us off the property.

For now, Louie DeNaples is denied access too, after the board temporarily suspended his $50,000,000.00 casino license Wednesday. Kevin Hayes is the Gaming Control Board’s Director of Gaming Operations, "Patrons should continue to be assured that they're visiting a fair and safe environment."

Two hours later, the State Gaming Control Board, now in control of the casino invited us back... They say they're meeting daily with DeNaple's "cooperative" management team. Attorney Kevin Hayes added, "In the interest of being overly cautious we've dispatched additional staff."

There are now more state staffers on hand to supplement the five already here on a permanent basis. Hayes said, “12 individuals and they're individual members of our gaming lab, accountants and an increased enforcement staff."

Extra eyes to oversee the resorts 850 employees and 2500-plus slot machines. The seven member State Gaming Control Board will meet next Tuesday - where they could decide to continue this suspension or even lift the order. If they lift the order, Louis DeNaples could then access any and all gaming revenue he's owed that's currently placed in an escrow account.

Also at that hearing, the Board could appoint a trustee to oversee Mount Airy's operations. For now officials say Louis DeNaples cannot transfer ownership of his casino, if he chooses to do so until Tuesday.