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South African Tycoon Eyes New England Casino

New England's anticipated new casino is likely to be bankrolled by someone whose name isn't as prominent as the bigger ones in the United States.

Sol Kerzner, a business tycoon who made big business in South Africa before venturing into the US, is setting his sights on the small Rhode Island town and its once run-down dog track.

Kerzner and a group of investors came up with $554 million to purchase Lincoln Park's British parent company in 2004. Kerzner built his fortune originally from South Africa's Sun City resort, and further stablished his name in the casino business with Mohegan Sun, now among the largest casinos in the world.

According to a man known to work in the background, Lincoln Park will soon be housing more slot machines than any Atlantic City casino. Lincoln Park will also have enough gaming to compete with Mohegan Sun and the reputably largest casino in the world, Foxwoods, or even the expansive casino resort that Kerzner now operates in the Bahamas.

A planned mult-phased expansion will be adding another 1,200 video slot machines to the property, bringing Lincoln Park's total to over 4,700. The owners will also be adding restaurants and entertainment venues, one of which is a 2,000 seat hall that will be the venue for various concerts and performances.