Sands Casino In Bethlehem Raises Thousands For Charity

The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is set to open its doors to the public on Friday. The owners, however, knew that a test run was necessary to ensure all the machines were functioning properly.

That need led to the state allowing the casino to do a test run on Monday. The event was held and only guests with invitations were permitted to attend. It turns out that everyone came out of the test run happy, from casino owners, to patrons, to charity organizations.

Not even open yet, the Sands casino pulled in over $1.5 million in machine plays. That equated to around $140,000 in revenue. The revenue was then split between the state, which took fifty-five percent, and local charities, who received the other forty-five percent.

The casino made nothing on the night but was able to pay operating costs. Since they have not officially been approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, they were not allowed to keep any of the revenue.

On Wednesday, a second test run was held, and the Control Board was readying to make their decision on whether the casino can open on Friday. The Control Board was busy at work on Wednesday evaluating all of the different operating functions of the casino.

Sands Bethlehem is just one of the casino projects in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh will soon be getting a new casino, and two casinos are slated for Philadelphia.

May 21, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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