Pennsylvania's First Free-standing Casino is Popular on its First Day
23rd October, 2007
The Pocono casino was opening at noon, but despite that you could see many gamblers arriving hours prior to that hour to make sure they get the first or next to entry. Mount Airy was welcoming about 10,000 guests as soon as the ribbon got cut in a ceremonial event.
This was a dream of developer Louis DeNaples for about 20 years now. His dream now came true with 2,500 slot machines and many other great casino entertainments that will become available gradually, rather than at once, which is probably a good idea considering the human flooding this time. There is also a dreamy hotel as part of the complex with 188 rooms available for dedicated gamblers and gambleresses. The project is planned to completely finish in the space of the next two years.
Joseph Battaglia was one of the first visitors as he arrived nearly 4 hours before the opening, at 8:15 am. He had this to say about the new construction: “Why should I go to Atlantic City, when I can come here?”
According to Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau Executive Director Robert Uguccioni, Joseph is only one of the few in the line of excited visitors, but according to Uguccioni, being the gambling capital is not part of his inspirations.
“We want to be a destination with gambling, not a gambling destination”, he explained.
