Gambling In Pennsylvania

It was not until July 2004 that gambling was legalised in the state of Pennsylvania, but now there are plenty of options to choose from. At that time authorisation was given to allow seven racinos to combine slot machines with horse racing, five stand alone casinos, and two hotel resorts with casino facilities. At first, all of these areas were to have slot machines only, with up to five thousand in all but the resorts, and there were some issues during the process – for example, there was a licence awarded to a Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia, but this was revoked in December 2010. In order to expand the gambling in Pennsylvania market, there were further additions to the legislature in January 2010, when table games were permitted for all casinos. These extra games began to be introduced in July 2010.

Admission to any casino in Pennsylvania is free so long as you are over twenty one years of age, and they are open twenty four hours a day to make sure that you can visit them any time you like and stay for as long as you can manage. There is an excellent range of games now offered at all of the casinos, including live poker rooms and variations on popular styles such as pai gow. Of the seven racinos, one of them is the Harrah’s Philadelphia, in Chester. This racino has six restaurants for you to sample as well as live harness racing from April to November, and simulcasting when the racing is not on. The Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Grantville has live thoroughbred racing all year long, as well as a good range of table games for you to play. The Meadows Racetrack and Casino is in Washington, and all year round here you can see harness racing as well as dining at one of eight fantastic restaurants and playing at a bowling alley. The fourth racino is the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, with an astounding eleven restaurants, harness racing from April to November, and plenty of other entertainments to keep you interested for the whole of your stay. The Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem has six restaurants, a nightclub, and sports bar, as well as thoroughbred racing year long. The Presque Isle Downs and Casino features four restaurants and thoroughbred racing during September, and finally the last racino licence has not been awarded.

The other stand alone casinos that you can go gambling in Pennsylvania at include the Mount Airy Resort and Casino in Mount Pocono, with an eighteen hole golf course and spa. The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh is one of the smaller offerings, but nonetheless has four restaurants for you to choose from. The Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem holds a food court and two restaurants, and a good range of games, while the Sugar House Casino in Philadelphia features three restaurants to choose from. The Valley Forge Convention Centre Casino is the last in the state, based in the King of Prussia area with eight restaurants.