Pocono News Section

More Slots?

More Slots? - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 2:40PM EST

More Slots? Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 @ 02:40pm EST
MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP - The Poconos could soon see more slot machines. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is preparing to award two licenses that would allow 500 slot machines at established resorts.

Two of the three applicants are in the Poconos.

The Fernwood Resort is placing a bet, gambling that it can turn it's event center into a slots casino.

Resort managers estimate slots would bring in millions of dollars and more than eighty jobs.

They laid out their cards for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board at a hearing in Middle Smithfield Township Wednesday.

Fernwood now uses the event building for concerts and shows, if it gets the license the entire floor will be covered with slot machines - 500 of them.

"We're not going to be a casino. We're gonna be a family resort like we've always been, that happens to have 500 slot machines," said Fernwood CEO William Worthington.

He told the board his resort meets all of the license requirements. It's well established. It has lots of hotel rooms and plenty of amenities.

After his presentation, a parade of supporters spoke to the board. "The management group of the Fernwood, the Bushkill Group, has helped us with our golf tournament every fall," said Barbara Samet of the United Way.

Elizabeth Koster of Fitzmaurice Community Services added, "Over the past seven years we've been the recipient of the generosity of Fernwood with a snow tubing fund raiser."

While many see slots as a community jackpot, Rose Capitelli said the plan is a bad bet. She brought a petition with about 200 signatures of people who agree with her. She said, " just going to bring in more crime, more traffic. I don't see any good of it."

The gaming board says it will consider the good and the bad before it decides who wins a license.

Another Pocono resort also wants a license - Split Rock in Carbon County. Its managers will present their plan to the gaming board Thursday morning.

The board expects to make a decision in the fall.