The city’s first casino would be delayed for years if state regulators were to revoke a license given to a Detroit businessman who has since run into financing troubles, city and county leaders said Tuesday.

The businessman, Don Barden, is seeking to transfer his slots license to a new group headed by Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm. Barden would keep a minority stake in the project.

Some lawmakers last week asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to revoke Barden’s license rather than approve the ownership changes. The legislators also suggested the gaming board might rush its approval of the Bluhm-Barden deal to rescue the Pittsburgh casino project.