The Resort

The Mount Airy Casino Resort made its debut this week, accepting more than $2 million wagers in its first 24 hours. The resort, which used to be a popular resort during the ‘60s and ‘70s faded into near obscurity during the ‘80s before finally shuttering its doors. Now with a $413 million infusion of cash and the promises of casino riches, the resort has been entirely rebuilt.

While it’s the first property that does not have a race track in the state, it’s actually the second casino to come to the Pocono’s. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs opened in later 2006 and has been setting records ever since. Since July, the Mohegans have seen nearly $700 million in bets on just 1,203 slot machines.

The new Mount Airy property has 2,526 slot machines and is expected to also be a major cash cow. Five hundred more will be added in the future. More than 10,000 people were estimated to have visited the casino during its first day of operation.
"We're raring to go," casino spokesman Kevin Feeley told the AP. "It's a great day for the Poconos. It's a great day for Pennsylvania."

When complete, the will have multiple amenities, including a 188 room hotel (including 25 suites). The property also features red steakhouse, the Italian themed Le Sorelle Cucina, Betty’s Diner (a 24-hour 1950s-themed restaurant) and a 400 seat buffet. There is also a 150-seat nightclub called Gypsies and The Glass Bar, which is located in the center of the casino. Other amenities include a conference center with more than 6,000 square feet of meeting space, full-service luxury spa, 27-acre lake, nature trails and an exercise and wellness center. An 18-hole championship golf course is due to open in 2009. Also coming in phase two will be an additional 212 hotel rooms, a pool, retail shops and more conference space.

While the casino resort is almost guaranteed to be a big winner, earlier this year it wasn’t even a sure thing the casino would be allowed to open. Though construction was well underway, they developers did not have permission to open as a casino.

In question with the state’s Supreme Court was whether the licensing decision of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to award a Category 2 slot machine license to Mt. Airy Lodge (Mount Airy #1, LLC) was appropriate. The Board’s decision to give the license to the organization run by Louis DeNaples was first challenged in the state’s courts by New Jersey developer Greg Matzel under the “Pocono Manor” moniker, who was also looking to create a casino in the area. The case was finally settled in July when The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted permission for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to license the casino.

It’s a good thing too since, the state’s burgeoning casino industry has been a wild success, surpassing even the most generous estimates at success.
There will be four other freestanding casino resorts set to open in Pennsylvania during the next two years including the SugarHouse Casino from HSP Gaming. The casino will be located along the Delaware River near the Girard Avenue exit of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. It will have 3,000 slot machines and is expected to open in April 2008. Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia from Philadelphia Entertainment & Development Partners will be located in South Philadelphia along the Delaware River. It will be operated by Foxwoods Development and include 3,000 slot machines. It is expected to open in November 2008. The PITG Gaming Casino by PITG Gaming will be located on the North Shore west of Heinz Field and the Carnegie Science Center. It will have 5,000 slot machines. It is expected to open in March 2008.

Finally, the Sands Bethworks Gaming, LLC (Bethlehem, Northampton/Lehigh Counties) will be located at the former Bethlehem Steel Co. plant in the City of Bethlehem. It will have 5,000 slot machines and is expected to open late next year. Sands also owns the Venetian resorts in Las Vegas and Macau and is one of the largest gaming companies in the world.

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