LVS Takes Step Towards Table Game Gambling In Pennsylvania

Last month, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed legislation that legalized table game gambling at casinos in the state. Now, Las Vegas Sands took the next step in making the table games a reality.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Monday announced that Las Vegas Sands has petitioned the Board for the right to add table games at their Bethlehem casino. The petition was needed, according to the law that was passed in January.

In order to bring the table games to a casino, the owner of the casino had to first file a petition with the Gaming Board. The next step in the process is for the Board to hold a public hearing on the petition.

Surely there will be both gambling proponents and anti-gambling groups attending the meeting that is set for Thursday, March 11th. after the meeting, the Board will have sixty days to respond to the petition.

"It is likely the hearings will become a formality for casino developers," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz, "Pennsylvania lawmakers did not create this law with the intention that the Gaming Board would turn down these petitions. The goal was to create more tax revenue for the state."

The table game issue is one that lingered for months, until Governor Ed Rendell forced the hand of lawmakers. Rendell claimed that over 1,000 government jobs would have to be eliminated if the table game legislation was not completed. Shortly after that threat, lawmakers passed a Bill allowing the games.

Expected to come along with the increased gambling is thousands of employment opportunities. Millions of dollars in revenue is also expected to be generated, and Pennsylvania will have the tools necessary to compete with the Atlantic City casino industry.

February 23, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!

Louisiana Casino Gambling Revenue Drops In January
Atlantic City Casino Industry Fate At Stake As Trump, Icahn, Battle
Mississippi Casino Gambling Revenue Up In January
Hundreds Of Employment Opportunities Coming To Rivers Casino
Women Dealing With Increased Problem Gambling In Australia