The Pittsburg Penguins are no stranger to close calls and gambles. As any sports team knows, one’s winning strategy is usually a gamble that is often drawn out to the final buzzer. And with as good a winning record as this Grade A team has, it is no surprise that Penguins management is very confident the team’s application for a gambling license will be granted.

The reason for the gambling license in the first place is to see through the teams proposal to build a new arena and spin palace casino. In what is already turning out to be a mammoth billion dollar project, the site will also include portioning nearly half a billion dollars in residential and office development. Located in the Lower Hill District, the project would be a fantastic boost for the Pittsburg economy. However, it is up to the Gaming Control Board whether or not the Penguins will even get the license that would enable them to set forth on their ambitious project.

And although Penguins star, Mario Lemieux, announced his retirement, the news will not have an effect on the Penguins pursuit to acquire a new arena. In fact, Lemieux commented in a news conference regarding his retirement, that he is hopeful the Penguins will be granted their casino license from the Board. And while this confidence is great for an enterprising team backed by Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., it seems that Governor Ed Rendell would like more from the Penguins, including an alternative plan for funding the arena if the gambling license does not go through.

Texas Hold’Em Top Prize is Won By a Canadian

In tournament number two of the River Rock Casino tournaments, David Ross White, the Canadian poker player who lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia won out over a beginning group of 784 players. The River Rock Casino is located a few minutes drive from Vancouver International airport.The $2 million No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em tournament began on Friday and ended on Sunday, taking three days and including difficult competition. After playing a total of 32 hours however, competitor White received the cash prize of $600 000 in addition to a luxury watch.

When asked, White expressed his feelings of elation and said that his family would be using the cash to pay down their debts and to take a much needed vacation.The large cash prize offered by the tournament was an attraction to players from all over Canada and the United States including as far away as the Yukon, Florida and California, in addition to Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia provinces and the US states – Texas, Nevada, and Washington.

Brian Lynch who is BCLC Vice-President of Casino Gaming is reported as saying that they received a phenomenal response from both spectators and players alike to the tournament this year.

Several recognized players were among the competitors including the poker all-time legend Johnny Chan, Gavin Smith, a 27th place finisher and Brad “Yukon” Booth. Second place was held by the Alaskan, Derrick Law, who received $290,000 which he was able to return with to his Yukon home.