SugarHouse Casino Thursday petitioned the state gaming control board for permission to operate table games at its Delaware Avenue casino, which is slated to open in August.
The petition seeks authorization for 42 tables - a combination of blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold’em and other popular games. With the board's approval, these tables will be added to the slots machines, a restaurant and lounge with outdoor seating overlooking the Delaware, and several casino bars.
“SugarHouse Casino will be the only full-service gaming complex located in Center City, catering to city and suburban residents as well as tourism customers,” says a company statement.
Casino mogul Steve Wynn, who hopes to be approved as the principal owner of Foxwoods - the other casino proposed for Philadelphia – has said he won't build a hotel at the site and will cater to regional customers only.
The proposed addition of table games represents another 212 full-time and 92 part-time jobs at SugarHouse, according to a company statement. That brings the facility’s total anticipated workforce to approximately 800. Prior to adding table games, the casino expected to employ approximately 500. “We are fully committed to hiring a diverse workforce filled with residents of the City and Commonwealth. The criteria for being hired at SugarHouse are energy, enthusiasm and willingness to deliver outstanding guest service every day. If you have those qualities, we will teach you the rest,” said Wendy Hamilton, general manager of SugarHouse Casino, said in the statement.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesman Doug Harbach said in an email near the close of the business day that SugarHouse's table games petition was just being delivered, and so was not available. After it has been reviewed and “deemed complete,” it will be released, he said, adding he did not know how many days that would take.
Once the petition review has occurred, a public hearing will be held. By law, it has to be in Philadelphia. The PGCB will publicly announce the date and time, and post information on its website on how interested parties can register to speak or submit comments by writing, Harbach said.
The PGCB has to date held three hearings on table games petitions, including one held yesterday in Bensalem for Parx Casino. No table games certificates have been approved yet.
The board has 60 days from determining SugarHouse's petition is complete to act on it, with a vote at a regular board meeting.
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