The race to table games nirvana is over. Delaware has won.
In the never-ending hunt for more revenue, most states have been rolling the dice – literally – with increased gambling.
Of course Atlantic City started all this years ago. Then Delaware got in on the act, allowing slots casinos in three racetracks in the state.
Tired of seeing potential revenue leak from every border, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell led the push the join the party a few years ago.
The result was slot machine meccas such as Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack in Chester.
But when the economy tanked, do did the state’s finances. Harrisburg was swimming in red ink? The solution? No problem. Table games.
But Delaware had the same idea. And this afternoon they will usher in poker, blackjack, roulette and craps at noon at Harrington Raceway.
Don’t fret, Pennsylvanians. You won’t have to drive down I-95 South much longer for your table games fix.
The Pennsylvania Legislature signed off on table games last year. Harrah’s has already been given the green light to expand their gambling offerings. They are expected to be in operation in Chester sometime around July 4.
There was some good news for Chester out of Delaware yesterday in terms of gambling competition. The Delaware Legislature indicated it will not vote on an expansion of casinos in the state, currently limited to three racetracks.
One proposal called for a casino to be built on the Wilmington waterfront, which would pose a serious threat to Harrah’s.
The only question is when the next expansion in gambling will be coming down the pike.
You might say you can bet on it.
In the never-ending hunt for more revenue, most states have been rolling the dice – literally – with increased gambling.
Of course Atlantic City started all this years ago. Then Delaware got in on the act, allowing slots casinos in three racetracks in the state.
Tired of seeing potential revenue leak from every border, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell led the push the join the party a few years ago.
The result was slot machine meccas such as Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack in Chester.
But when the economy tanked, do did the state’s finances. Harrisburg was swimming in red ink? The solution? No problem. Table games.
But Delaware had the same idea. And this afternoon they will usher in poker, blackjack, roulette and craps at noon at Harrington Raceway.
Don’t fret, Pennsylvanians. You won’t have to drive down I-95 South much longer for your table games fix.
The Pennsylvania Legislature signed off on table games last year. Harrah’s has already been given the green light to expand their gambling offerings. They are expected to be in operation in Chester sometime around July 4.
There was some good news for Chester out of Delaware yesterday in terms of gambling competition. The Delaware Legislature indicated it will not vote on an expansion of casinos in the state, currently limited to three racetracks.
One proposal called for a casino to be built on the Wilmington waterfront, which would pose a serious threat to Harrah’s.
The only question is when the next expansion in gambling will be coming down the pike.
You might say you can bet on it.
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