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Table Games in Eastern Pennsylvania: A Boon for Tourism?

Jul 30th, 2010
by Eyeflow.
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Eastern Pennsylvania is located right near New York City, and shares a lengthy border with the rest of the Empire State. Recently however, there may be signs that the region might be getting a significant increase in tourism.

Plenty of Questions About Gambling

Gambling is a sore spot for many people; some believe that it’s damaging morally, others believe it runs a risk of increasing the crime in the state. However, one thing that cannot be denied is the increase in income for the state that sponsors it. Pennsylvania already had slot machines for some time, and took a tidy sum into the state’s coffers from that. Then the economic downturn hit, so the legislature and Governor Ed Rendell took another step in that direction, signing a bill into law in the last week to allow table games.

The difference between table games and slots, however, is that people generally don’t want to travel particularly far to pull slot machines. However, the draw to go play poker or blackjack in a table game setting is much more intense. This change can draw in more outside visitors and bring in revenue to Scranton gambling hotels.

It’s easy to see – take a long look at the casinos in places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas. People travel for miles and miles to these locations to do their gambling, and most of them don’t spend time shaking hands with the one-handed bandit.

How Table Games in PA Can Change Things

So the advent of table games in eastern Pennsylvania should tap into markets not necessarily tapped into for people. For many New Yorkers, Atlantic City has a negative connotation. It is most possible that many of these sort of New Yorkers might see these new opportunities over in eastern Pennsylvania as a better alternative to Atlantic City.

That of course doesn’t even mention the influx of tourism that should come down from upstate New York and other nearby areas. People who do not want to drive all the way to Atlantic City can instead come to eastern Pennsylvania and spend their extra money there, in the new casinos and new table games. New York is a very big city, and even though Atlantic City may be marginally closer for many of them to travel to, it’s also quite crowded. The newer, cleaner casinos in eastern Pennsylvania should be a quick draw for most of these folks.

Gamblers may soon be flocking to the Eastern PA casino hotels, thanks to these new table games. And if so, it will be a serious boon for the local economy with out of state dollars coming into the state, not to mention that Pennsylvanian gamblers’ dollars will stay in the state, as well.

Atlantic City May See a Hit in Business Thanks to PA's Table Games

Jul 30th, 2010
by Eyeflow.
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Pennsylvania recently enacted legislation adding table games to the sorts of gambling that are legal in the state. Already horse tracks, slot machines, and lottery tickets were allowed under the rules in Pennsylvania, but continued budget shortfalls and interest brought the legislature to a decision that’s actually made fairly common nowadays in many states.

Already, poker, blackjack, and numerous other table games will make their way into the casinos around the state. When Harrah’s unveiled their Eastern PA casino table games, the whole floor was absolutely packed, which shows that gamblers were more than ready to take advantage of the new law, as well as casinos.

A Move Made By PA Changes Everything

Governor Ed Rendell was trying to find a solution to the state’s budget shortfalls. Over the years, constant rising property taxes were beginning to take a serious toll on much of the state, particularly the elderly. So the Governor suggested, and later signed, a bill allowing the addition of slot machines.

There’s more than just a benefit to the state’s coffers, as well. While the state pockets around 60% of the take from the slots, it will only take 14-16% of the take from table games. The money will also be used for other things – some of the money is already being given to the Delaware County Community College, and students may see their tuition costs cut in half, just from the take from the casinos in Chester. That is a huge windfall, and certainly a positive outcome from the introduction of gambling to increase the state’s revenue. Not only that, but Eastern PA gambling hotels can benefit from increased traffic from tourists traveling looking for a game.

This is all good for Pennsylvania, but it’s very worrying for the casino owners and for legislators in neighboring New Jersey, particularly Atlantic City. Other nearby states have also increased their own gambling, which is horning in on the bonanza that Atlantic City brings to New Jersey. Already, Delaware has table games as well as slots, and is planning on expanding table games to even beyond the three horse tracks where they currently reside.

Reaction from NJ

State Senator Richard Codey is greatly worried as this new development of Pennsylvania opening table games inches away more of Atlantic City (and New Jersey’s) revenue. He told The Record of Bergen County that “It’s all around us now, and Pennsylvania only adds to the urgency. We’ve got blinders on, and I don’t get it. Why are we giving away hundreds of millions of dollars to other states?”

New Jersey is exploring other options to increase its gambling revenue, including opening a slots parlor at the Meadowlands, to tap into some of the possible income that could spill over from New Yorkers using the slots.

Great Places to Check Out While Visiting Scranton Pennsylvania

May 24th, 2010
by Eyeflow.
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Scranton is located in North East Pennsylvania and has a population just over 70,000. While Scranton is known for its past rich in coal, iron and railroads there is much more to this industrial town.

Steamtown National Historic Site

Celebrating the historic significance of railroads in Scranton, the Steamtown National Historic Site is both a museum and a historic railroad. Here you will find a working replica roundhouse and turntable with two of the roundhouse sections being original to the DL&W Railroad of the early 1930′s. Steamtown opened in 1995 with the goal of telling the story of mainline steamrails between 1850 and 1950. There is a Visitor Center along with a Theater, History and Technology Museums. There are also plenty of Steamtown National Historic Site lodging available as well.

Park Rangers provide guided tours and summer camps are also offered. The park is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. The Park Entrance Fee is $6 for all visitors 17 and older. For an additional $3 for all visitors 6 and over there is a short train excursion available.

Pocono Mountains

The nearby Pocono Mountains provide year round fun. In the winter there are ample opportunities for snow skiing, even at night at some of the resorts. Sno Mountain Ski Resort features the steepest ski slope in all of Pennsylvania. In the summer many of the ski mountains turn into water parks. For summer fun, the Poconos include a national park, seven state parks and seventeen game lands. The many lakes and rivers lend themselves to activities such as white water rafting, canoeing and water skiing. In the fall the mountains are covered with brilliantly colored foliage and are a prime destination for campers. There are also Pocono Mountains hotels ranging from the economical to the luxurious.

Houdini Museum

Harry Houdini performed several times in Scranton and the Houdini Museum serves as a tribute to the magician. It includes artifacts, memorabilia and documents showcasing his life. There is also a magic show performed for visitors. Reservations are required.

Everhart Museum

This is a natural history museum located in Nay Aug Park. The museum is home to approximately 20,000 objects with about half focusing on the arts including a large display of folk art. The other half of the museum focuses on natural science specimens.

Plenty to See in Scranton PA

As you can see there are plenty of activities for your next visit to Scranton, PA. Don’t delay, plan your next trip today!