Developer plans slots parlor at Pocono Manor

Monday, July 18, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.

POCONO MANOR, Pa. -- A developer said he has a contract with the Pocono Manor resort to build a $1.5 billion casino complex around the historic hotel near interstates 80 and 380.

Greg Matzel, president of Matzel Development, of Oakhurst, N.J., said a big part of his plans involves getting a license for 5,000 slot machines. That would require beating out Pocono Raceway and Mount Airy Lodge, as well as several projects planned for the Lehigh Valley, for a non-racetrack casino license.

"This is obviously a large project and complex, so it's not totally dependent, but the key thing is pursuing a casino license," Matzel said. "We feel that the casino is an integral part to the overall synergy to the project, and the key thing is going to be a casino license."

archive