About Robert W. Green
“When David and I met Bob Green in 2002, it was over a handshake for a property sale of a mutually loved Victorian in Northern Liberties Philadelphia. He had multiple offers that same weekend, but he is a man of his word. That is an understatement. It is impossible to explain the kind of guy Bob is within a few words. However, I can honestly say he changed my life for the better. It was in the parlor of that same Victorian that I started the Lyra Society thanks to the generosity of Bob. He has supported our progress and success ever since.
Bob is a poet, bookmaker and genuine renaissance guy, and just to prove it here are a few of his words:
‘Springtime: The soft rain of a late April evening
Slowly uncovers a hidden universe
That I had never seen before.
Without manner or purpose,
It seems to reflect
The frightening wonder
Of ordinary things.’
It is a great privilege to honor Bob Green on the 20th anniversary of the Lyra Society.”
–Elizabeth Hainen, Founder & Artistic Director
Biography: Mr. Green is founder and Chairman of Parx Casino, the principal racing and gaming company in the Commonwealth. Prior to this, Mr. Green was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the William Hill Organization (“William Hill”) a division of Grand Metropolitan PLC (now Diageo), based in London. Hill was one of the largest wagering operators in the world, with its primary operations in the United Kingdom and Europe. He was also the joint Chairman of Gamebell PLC, then the United Kingdom’s largest casino operator, which operated such prestigious casinos as the Ritz and Les Ambassadeurs in London and The Carlton in Cannes. Mr. Green was also the founder and first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Satellite Information Services Ltd. (“SIS”) a company established by him in 1985. SIS developed a system to broadcast global horseracing by satellite transmission to OTB facilities throughout Europe. Mr. Green has been qualified and licensed by the Pennsylvanian Horse Racing Commission and Gaming Control Board and the New Jersey Casino Control and Racing Commissions. As a result of his tireless efforts over many years, Pennsylvania approved electronic gaming in 2006, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. Table games were later approved in 2009 and are now operational throughout the Commonwealth. During his tenure in Pennsylvania, Mr. Green has created over 2,500 new jobs and his companies have invested over $600M in capital construction projects. He has lived in Philadelphia for over 30 years and still resides here with his wife and family.
