Valley Forge Casino presses to add table games

The $132.5 million Valley Forge Casino Resort is on target to open this spring, president and chief executive officer Sal Scheri told members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Wednesday.

"Construction is progressing on schedule, and we're excited to see the casino start to take shape," Scheri said.

The assurance was part of his team's petition to the gaming board for a license to install table games at the new facility - which the hearing in King of Prussia centered on.

Under the state's gambling law, the Montgomery County casino will be allowed up to 600 slot machines. It is petitioning to have 50 table games, with the option to add up to 15 more tables for monthly poker tournaments.

While it secured its license to operate slot machines nearly three years ago, the casino must file a petition, and get approval, from the board to add table games, such as poker and craps, as did the 10 other casinos that have opened in Pennsylvania.

The board is expected to vote on the issue at its February or March meeting.

If it is approved, Valley Forge Convention Center Partners L.P. - the investor group behind the project - must then pay the $7.5 million table-games license fee.

"This is the next step," said board chairman William Ryan. "All the heavy lifting is done. We came to listen to . . . all the information pertinent for the board to decide whether to grant authorization to certify table games."

At least three individuals testified that the gaming board should reject Valley Forge's petition. Among them was James Schneller, cofounder of the community group Eastern Pennsylvania Citizens Against Gambling. He cautioned the board "to slow down" and review what casinos have brought to the state, including any negative social impacts such as addiction and personal bankruptcy.

"The Philadelphia area is now oversaturated with casinos, so that any additions of games will . . . cause more detriment and needless suffering," he said. "What we're saying is that the fast-paced, momentum-driven implementation of gambling should be done at a more moderate pace."

After the hearing, Ryan said market saturation was something the board was studying.

Last month, the state's 10 casinos generated $199.1 million in slot revenue, up nearly 14 percent from December 2010. All three Philadelphia-area casinos reported revenue increases.

When it debuts in spring, the 33,222-square-foot Valley Forge Casino Resort will join Parx in Bensalem, Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack, and SugarHouse on Penn's Landing.

But unlike the others, Valley Forge must comply with an access plan as a casino resort. The plan allows gambling by patrons of the Valley Forge Convention Center and its amenities, including its restaurants, bars, retail shops, who spend at least $10, stay at the two hotels, or use the spa.

Anyone attending a meeting, convention, or other event at the Convention Center could also gain casino access, as could people with dining and entertainment memberships there. Scheri said management held a membership drive over the holidays at the nearby King of Prussia mall to get the word out.

He said the casino will employ close to 650 people. About 1,500 have applied to fill the 300 dealer positions, with interviews starting next week.

"Our markets are distinctly different," Scheri said of his regional competitors. "We are very focused on being a casino resort and serving those that live close to the casino."

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