The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will meet Thursday to hear an update on the latest financing plan for Majestic Star Casino developer Don Barden. The hearing was scheduled because Barden's latest financing plan has been wrapped up, and it has changed since the last time the board examined it, said board spokesman Richard McGarvey. "We had to make sure we had enough information before we could schedule a hearing," McGarvey said.

The general contractor of a planned casino in Pittsburgh said he is optimistic financing will come through to keep the project moving, but acknowledged there's a scenario under which construction could be temporarily halted. Don Barden, the operator of the planned Majestic Star Casino, has until June 30 to pay contractors for work, said Dan Keating III, chairman of Philadelphia-based Keating Construction, the general contractor on casino project.