BestCraps.com

Pennsylvania Aiming To Be The Gaming Centre Of The East Coast

Posted on June 9th, 2010

News Sponsored by Online Vegas Casino

Rated 5 Stars by BestCraps.com

Read Review

Visit Casino

Download Software

————————————————

Before the economic recession hit the United States and the entire world, Atlantic City reigned supreme in the world of gambling in the Northeast. When the economy went through a downturn, most people found themselves in a financial mess, and unemployment continued to rise.

As a result, there was a significant reduction in discretionary spending as consumers tried to cut back on their budget. The recession caused gambling revenues in Atlantic City casinos to continuously decline in considerable proportions, an episode never before encountered by a city known as the gambling capital of the Northeast region and the country’s most famous gambling hub after Las Vegas.

As other states continued to struggle with the effects of the recession, many of them turned to gambling to obtain additional revenue to address the budget shortfall and to create more jobs. This move consequently created a widespread expansion of gambling and an explosion of gambling facilities across the country. Thus, Atlantic City again faces yet another ordeal-the emergence of competition coming from all directions, a concern the city has never had to deal with in the past.

Pennsylvania is one of New Jersey’s neighbours that are aggressively pursuing expanded gambling. Before the recession, Pennsylvania seemed the least likely to give Atlantic City a run for its money. But recent moves by lawmakers are indications that the state is determined to beat New Jersey and dominate the gambling market in the Northeast.

In December, for the first time, Pennsylvania casinos posted higher slot revenue figures than New Jersey casinos. New casinos that were opened in Pennsylvania in recent years helped shore up slot machine revenues, while Atlantic City casinos continued to be severely affected by the economic slump. Buoyed by the casinos’ positive performance, and seeing an opportunity of making it in the gambling industry, lawmakers in Pennsylvania decided to legalize table games.

Pennsylvania casinos that offered only slot machines are now expanding and adding table games, like craps, blackjack and roulette, and all other games offered by casinos in Atlantic City. With table games set to be operational by summer, Pennsylvania casinos would be more competitive and would have more to offer gamblers they intend to draw from Atlantic City casinos.

Lawmakers also cite the creation of more jobs and the injection of millions of dollars in new revenue to the state as two of the more important reasons for their decision to expand gambling in the state. With summer almost upon the country, casinos in the state have been busy receiving deliveries of table games and having their workers put them in place on the gambling floor. Potential dealers are also being prepared in training classes.

In April, the Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos was given the go ahead to operate table games by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Seventy table games will be delivered to Mount Airy early this week. Baccarat, craps, roulette, poker, blackjack and specialty tables will be officially inspected by a representative from the state Gaming Control Board.

George Toth, President and CEO of Mount Airy Casino said, “We’re eager to set up the floors, get everything up and running, and especially to ‘let the games begin’.” He said the management hopes for an enduring partnership with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as they await the start of table games this summer. The Poconos is a famous tourist destination and the table games will give tourists more reasons to visit the place in addition to the pretty and charming scenery, comfortable accommodations, excellent restaurants and first class amenities.