Live poker is on its way in Pennsylvania.
Governor Ed Rendell signed a bill into law legalizing table games on Thursday, ending a drawn-out budget process in the commonwealth. The move means more than 1,000 state workers will not need to be laid off, as the legalization of table games will make up for a possible shortfall in the state budget. The state budget had already been approved with the added revenue from table games already figured in, although the companion bill that actually legalized table games was just now turned into actual law.
The new law allows all sorts of table games, such as blackjack, roulette — and poker. Most of the table games apparently will be added to existing slot-machine parlors.
Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment Inc., which ownes PhiladelphiaPark Casino & Racetrack in Bensalem, has already said it will plan to add 60 to 70 poker tables to its current slots-only format. The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh is guessing it will add 20 poker tables, while the under-construction SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia will plan to have 40 poker tables.
In the Ponoco Mountains region, Mount Airy Casino Resort will plan to add 15 poker tables, while Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs has no plans to add poker at this time.
With the rough economy, the new law will create a lot of new jobs in Pennsylvania. And the legalization of table games in Pennsylvania obviously will have a huge effect on Atlantic City, in the bordering state of New Jersey. Atlantic City has already fallen on hard times, and the addition of competition right next door could mean more trouble for the East Coast gambling haven. Or the added competition could spur positive change in AC. It will be interesting to follow in the coming years.
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