PITTSBURGH -- The only black casino operator in the United States was awarded the city’s sole slot license on Wednesday morning.

Don Barden’s PITG Gaming LLC plans to build the Majestic Star Casino on the North Shore of the Allegheny River between the Carnegie Science Center and the West End Bridge.

Barden is from Detroit and is owner of five casinos.

Former Steeler Jerome Bettis is a PITG partner.

Shortly after the slot license announcement was made, Bettis told Channel 11 News that he was very happy to hear that the Gaming Control Board awarded the license to PITG, but that he was sad his father -– who was a big part of the development plan for the North Shore casino –- could not be there.

Bettis said that he and his family are excited and that the city of Pittsburgh should be excited as well.

The development is expected to include restaurants and nightclubs.

Bettis told only Channel 11 that he will be opening a new restaurant on the North Shore to join the casino.

He also said his construction company will help in the redevelopment.

Gladys Bettis and his father John, who recently passed away, were partners early on.

Gladys told Channel 11: “We've been working on this with Don for some time. John was so positive and said, ‘Don't worry about it, it's going to happen.’ He saw the vision he saw. Him and Don saw it and he hung right in there with him. He studied it. He did everything and it's just so beautiful it's happening."

The Majestic Star plan is that the casino will have 3,000 to 5,000 slots.

It is slated to open in March 2008 and would provide $7.5 million a year for a new Penguins arena.

But according to the NHL that's not enough. They are warning the Penguins may not stay without a new home.

Heavy hitters on the North Shore were not happy with the Gaming Board's decision.

The Majestic Star slots parlor will be a next door neighbor to Heinz Field and PNC Park and neither franchise is happy about it.

According to Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy, putting a parlor in an area already congested on game days is a bad idea.

McClatchy said he doesn't think the slots crowd will be compatible with the family atmosphere PNC Park tries to promote.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage of this story.

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Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman:
"The decision by the Gaming Commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL. The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation. The NHL will support the Penguins in their endeavors."

Statement from Ken Sawyer, CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins:
"We congratulate Don Barden and PITG Gaming on their successful bid. Obviously, we are very disappointed that the Isle of Capri was not awarded the slots license. We want to thank them for their effort over the past year, including an unprecedented offer to fully fund construction of a new arena had they received the license. We also want to thank the dozens of local leaders and thousands of fans and concerned citizens who voiced their support for what they believed was the best plan for our region. Had Isle of Capri been selected, it would have ensured the long-term future of the Penguins in Pittsburgh and would have delivered a $1 billion development opportunity to the Lower Hill and Uptown. At this point, our franchise enters a period of uncertainty, with our lease at Mellon Arena set to expire this summer. We will re-evaluate all of our options before deciding on a course of action and making further comment."

Statement from the Carnegie Science Center:
"Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, of which Carnegie Science Center is a part, is invested in the economic vitality of Pittsburgh, and we support sound urban development in our neighborhoods. We believe the slots license process has been fairly handled, and we congratulate Don Barden and PITG Gaming on their success. We look forward to working with them as good neighbors on the North Shore."

Statement from Art Rooney II:
"We are extremely disappointed in the decision of the Gaming Commission to award the casino license on the North Shore. It seemed it was a process that was designed to give little weight to local interests and the result is indicative of that. We will have to consider all of our options in determining how to respond to this decision."