Casinos in Pennsylvania

The fine state of Pennsylvania is one state in the US that has an extremely positive view on casino gambling. Not only does the state believe that tax revenue collected due to its licensed casinos is vital, but it also takes the view that these establishments provide excellent entertainment for it's residents. It really is a win win situation with residents enjoying the facilities that modern state of the art casinos can provide and the state receiving a fair amount of taxes. So forward thinking is Pennsylvania regarding gambling that it's newest agency, the first new agency created in over 30 years, is the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) which oversees all casino activity, regulation and licensing. The agencies main task is to fulfill, "the objectives of limited gaming in the Commonwealth to deliver a significant source of revenue, assist the horse racing industry, provide broad economic opportunities and enhance tourism." In 2008 they also set up a slot machine testing center above their offices to ensure game fairness and pay outs are constantly monitored, as well as an Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling. Casinos are growing in number in the state too and as you will read the types of casino available are split into three groups.

Types of Casinos in Pennsylvania

The Keystone State allows the PGCB to provide a total of 14 licenses for slot machines, table games were added in 2010, and these are split very clearly into three groups, or types of casino. Two licenses are given to existing hotel resorts meaning that, to their already existing facilities they may add a casino with up to 600 slots and table games. Seven licenses are awarded to existing horse racing tracks which are better known and indeed licensed under the name of Racinos, and five licenses go to stand alone casinos. The stand alone casinos and Racinos may hold up to 5,000 slot machines each. The two Resort Casinos are The Valley Forge and the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and under legislation a third license will be issued soon meaning we will see another Resort Casino in the state. Racinos are common across the whole of the United States now and as you may tell from the name they combine horse racing with a casino. These were, in part, created to stop the slow down of horse racing popularity in the US and of course tax revenue garnered from it. They now provide great facilities and have certainly helped turn things around for the race tracks. Two of the best in Pennsylvania are Harrah's Philadelphia and The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington. The stand alone casinos are purpose built casinos and all are extremely modern with outstanding facilities with the first being built in 2007. Two great stand alones are the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and the Sugar House Casino in Philadelphia.

In Summary

As you can see, with such a wide offering of not only casinos, but types of casinos The Keystone State really does cater for both residents and tourists when it come to casino entertainment. Let's remember that casinos do not simply offer gambling options but also fine dining, spa's, musical entertainment and so much more. The growth of casinos in Pennsylvania has proved to be extremely successful and not only provides the state with valued tax revenue but these large establishments have boosted local economies and provided many jobs.