However the stock soon plummeted as Illinois legalized riverboat gambling and more casino competition arose . Further complicating matters the Great Flood of 1993 forced the lengthy closure of the casinos . By 1996 his share of stock was valued at $ 14.7 million . He cut the pledge to $ 7 million and received a contract to exclusively sell reproductions of Vatican art in the United States . However the deal was eventually halted after he could not market the art beyond Pittsburgh
Great Flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
John E. Connelly