Casino developer Don Barden says there is a conspiracy against him because so many questions are swirling about his planned Majestic Star on the North Side.

Mr. Barden doesn't want to get specific in making his claim, but surely he can understand at least some of the queries. Look at recent developments.

His company, Majestic Star Casino LLC, which operates gambling facilities in Indiana, Mississippi and Colorado, reported $26.1 million in losses last year plus $556.7 million in debt. Standard & Poor's lowered its credit rating this week and raised concerns about his financing for the North Shore casino now under construction. Although Mr. Barden says the finances of his other assets won't have an impact on his Pittsburgh operations, he has asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for permission to refinance his new, self-described flagship. Even though that might be understandable given the unpredictable climate on Wall Street, it can't help but trigger concern.

He says his projected costs have jumped dramatically, he has asked to delay work on an amphitheater and ballroom, and he's trying to get out of paying $3 million that he threw into his casino proposal in an attempt to woo support from the Hill District.

None of that is encouraging.

Of course not all of Mr. Barden's troubles are of his own making. The Steelers and Pirates initially dug in their heels in the hope he would solve all of the North Shore's traffic tie-ups, and his competitors for the lucrative state slots license didn't fold up their tents without a court fight.

But it was Mr. Barden who decided to alter the design of his casino, which drew criticism to his plans, particularly those for his parking garage.

Now he is asking to break a promise he made during his licensing campaign.

Mr. Barden offered to spend $3 million on Hill District development, but now he says that hinged on being granted the development rights to land near Mellon Arena. Unfortunately for that argument, the Statement of Conditions Mr. Barden signed with the state says he agreed "to provide $1 million per year for three consecutive years for the redevelopment of the Hill Section in the City of Pittsburgh commencing within one year of opening the gaming facility." It says nothing about the payments being contingent on development rights of any kind.

He says the quid pro quo was generally understood by all the parties. If so, he should have known better as a veteran businessman than to leave key details out of a signed document.

Mr. Barden needs to keep his $3 million promise. As for his other requests, the gaming board has promised to take them up in a special meeting on May 14. Let's hope all the other benefits he has promised Pittsburgh will also come to pass.