The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board issued its first licenses in 2006. Now round two is underway, with six proposals from a wide range of parties ranging from Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn to locals Bart Blatstein and Ken Goldenberg.
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre is looking at a fall 2013 opening of its new hotel, full-service spa/salon, bistro, indoor pool and 20,000 square-foot convention center complex. The seven-story hotel will offer 238 rooms and suites.
SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia has just had a $155 million expansion approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Plans call for more gaming-floor space and the addition of new facility for events and conferences.
Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia just celebrated its first birthday. To gain admittance to the 600-slot-machine and 16-table-game casino, you must spend at least $10 in one of the on-site restaurants, bars or retail shops, be an overnight guest at one of the complex’s two hotels, be attending a convention, meeting or private function at the convention center, or purchase a membership. Renowned chef Tony Clark is now running two restaurants at Valley Forge Casino Resort, the upscale Pacific Prime and rustic Italian Viviano. Also new is the Dueces Wild Buckin’ Bull Saloon, complete with mechanical bull.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem has opened a new 50,000 square-foot events center to accommodate big-name performers like Sarah Brightman (Sept. 22) and Steely Dan (Sept. 27). At the event center’s Vision Bar, live bands appear every Friday throughout the summer.
More highlights …
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester has the only World Series of Poker Room in Pennsylvania. … PARX Casino and Racetrack in Bensalem has added 20 tables, including an Asian table games pit with pai gow poker, pai gow tiles, sic bo and baccarat.
CASINO DIRECTORY
PENNSYLVANIA
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack
777 Harrah’s Blvd., Chester, Pa., (800) 480-8020, harrahsphilly.com
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
777 Holly-wood Blvd., Grantville, Pa., (717) 469-2211, hollywoodpnrc.com
The Meadows Casino
210 Racetrack Road, Washington, Pa., (724) 503-1200, meadowsgaming.com
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., (570) 831-2100, poconodowns.com
Mount Airy Casino Resort
312 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono, Pa., (877) 682-4791, mountairycasino.com
PARX Casino and Racetrack
2999 Street Road, Bensalem, Pa., (888) 588-7279, parxcasino.com
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem
901 Daly Ave., Bethlehem, Pa., (877) 726-3777, pasands.com
SugarHouse Casino
1001 N. Delaware Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., (877) 477-3715, sugarhousecasino.com
Valley Forge Casino Resort
1160 First Ave., King of Prussia, Pa., (610) 354-8118, vfcasino.com
» for more from the 2013 Casino Guide, click here.