Yesterday the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved petitions to conduct table games at the casinos located in the Commonwealth’s two large cities, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The unanimous vote means all ten petitions to conduct table games at Pennsylvanian casinos now have been approved. Following the conclusion of the public hearing process, Holdings Acquisition Co. L.P., operator of Rivers Casino, and SugarHouse HSP Gaming L.P., operator of SugarHouse Casino, now may add table games to their slots casinos.

PGCB Chairman Greg Fajt said today’s approvals conclude a significant amount of hard work on the part of the Board employees to moving the table games process forward as envisioned by the Legislature. “There is much good news in these approvals, beginning with the fact that the casinos have worked hard and effectively with our staff to assemble and present to the Board solid plans to implement table games at each of their casinos while making sure that revenue from slot machine gaming does not drop.”

Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh believes that 458 extra jobs - 309 full-time and 149 part-time - will be created when it installs 62 gaming tables (42 Blackjack tables, 6 Craps tables, 3 Roulette tables, 3 Three-Card Poker tables, 3 Texas Hold’em Bonus tables, 2 Pai Gow Poker tables, 2 Mini Baccarat tables and 1 Big 6 wheel). 24 Poker tables will be added as well and renovations to the gaming facility will employ 80 construction workers through 7 local contractors. Staff will be trained on site for table games operations.

The SugarHouse startup proposal for its Philadelphia operation includes 40 gaming tables (18 Blackjack tables, 6 Craps tables, 4 Roulette tables, 3 Mini Baccarat tables, 3 Pai Gow Poker tables, 4 Three Card Poker tables and 2 Four Card Poker tables), creating an additional 306 jobs. It also anticipates 15-20 extra construction jobs and will train table games employees at the facility.

The PGCB was assured by both operators that they have the financial wherewithal to pay the state-mandated $16.5 million table games fee by June 1st of this year. Fajt commented, “The approvals ensure that the Commonwealth will receive each of the $16.5 million table games license fees that are essential to help balance the current fiscal year budget.” The approvals will help move the start of the implementation of table games at most casinos to just after the Fourth of July holiday, allowing new revenues to be created for the 2010-11 fiscal year. Each Category 1 and 2 facility approved by the Board can conduct gaming at up to 250 tables in addition to operating up to 5,000 slot machines. (E-05.26.10)

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