Whatever Pinnacle Entertainment has up their sleeve in regards to a proposed Philadelphia slots casino is sure to promise big money considering their recent enlistment of Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder, Robert L. Johnson, who also happens to be the majority owner of the North Carolina NBA basketball team, the Charlotte Bobcats.

Coming in at $350 million, the proposal is Pinnacle's bid to become one of two licensed slots casino operators in the city of Philadelphia. And with four other operators staking their claim for the licenses, the addition of Johnson appears to be a strategic move by Pinnacle to sweeten the pot, if you will, for getting approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

According to Pennsylvania Gaming guidelines, the attachment of minority investors is an essential ingredient to increase one's chances of getting the green light on a casino gambling license. And with at least $3 billion to Johnson's name (that's the price he got for BET when he sold it to entertainment conglomerate Viacom in 2001), Pinnacle's backing is more major than minor. No details were released as to exactly how much of a stake Johnson has in Pinnacle's project.

At $350 million, Pinnacle's proposal is on the lower end of the spectrum. In fact, it is the lowest bid amongst the other proposals, aside from the Trump Street Casino and Entertainment Complex for East Falls and Nicetown, which is also estimated as a $350 million slots casino. The three other proposals seeking to build along the Delaware River waterfront in Philly, include a $500 million Planet Hollywood Riverwalk Casino, a $500 million sltos parlor by SugarHouse Gaming, and a $400 million casino by well-known gaming operator, Foxwoods Development Corp.