Site last updated: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Allentown casino gets delivery of first table games

ALLENTOWN — With Pennsylvania's casino industry preparing for the arrival of table games, regulators said Tuesday they're on track for a July launch and one parlor said it has had dozens of blackjack, craps and roulette tables delivered.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has licensed eight slot-machine casinos to offer table games, and regulators gave the go-ahead Tuesday to two more casinos, SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia and Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.

Nine of the 10 should be ready to debut their games a little after July 4, said board chairman Greg Fajt. The 10th, Sugarhouse, is scheduled to open in September.

"They're all aiming within a matter of weeks to be open," said board spokesman Doug Harbach.

Meanwhile, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs said Tuesday it is the first casino to take delivery of its tables.

Bobby Soper, president and chief executive officer of the casino outside Wilkes-Barre, said an initial shipment of 30 games arrived last week from Las Vegas-based manufacturer Gaming Partners International Corp. The casino plans to open with 61.

"It's a hallmark. We have a whole new gaming product being introduced, and we're the first property to get those tables in the state," said Soper, whose casino was the first to open after Pennsylvania legalized gambling in 2004.

He said he expects table games to boost attendance 15 percent.

"Now you're going to have individuals who will stay closer to home because you offer both products, and you can recapture those dollars that are leaving every day to places like Atlantic City," N.J., Soper said.

More in Business

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS