First Pennsylvania Slots To Open On November 14
After Pennsylvania legalized casino gambling, 61,000 slot machines statewide are expected to start business on the 14th of November at a horse racetrack just off of Wilkes-Barre.
One of five racetracks which were given a casino license by the state gambling regulators the previous month, the Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs announced that they will be the first out of the gate to begin business for a slots parlor.
Pocono Downs chief executive officer Robert Soper said that there is a feeling of not only relief but excitement that they were able to move forward and that the actual opening date is not too far off.
The owner and operator of the Pocono Downs, the Mohegan Indian tribe of Connecticut operates some racing complex in Plains Township has spent some $70 million on a 40,000 square foot slots parlor. This includes a food court, bar, patio and of course not to forget two gambling floors with 1,083 machines.
The first shipment of games made its way at Pocono downs on Monday morning from the WMS Gaming Inc. of Waukegan, III. The machines included 500 reel games, 450 video machines and video poker with denominations from a half-penny to $100 for the brave high rollers.
Soper believes that the casino will draw most gamblers not only from northeastern Pennsylvania but also from New York and New Jersey. He adds that the bulk of their new customers will be slot players who currently do not bet on horse racing. They plan to try marketing horse racing to these new customers with hope that some of them might be able to enjoy it.
400 people to staff the casino in Pocono Downs have been hired. Aside from the casino, the tribe plans a second phase development to double the number of slot machines and retail shops, a nightclub and other amenities as well.
The downs officials have sent two private-invitation test events on the 10th and 12th of November. The result of these invitations will determine if the parlor is ready for their opening date on the 14th of November.
State officials plan to take some of the gambling revenues to fatten racetrack purses and make the state's equine industry more desirable. As many as 61,000 slot machines at 14 venues statewide have been authorized by the State Legislature.
Conditional licenses have been awarded by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board last 27th of September to five tracks. The following are Mohegan Sun; Philadelphia Park in Bensalem; Penn National Race Course close to Harrisburg, Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack and the Meadows in suburban Pittsburgh.
Presque Isle Downs which is under construction near Erie is likely to hear about a possible license later this month making it the sixth track with license to operate a casino.
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