SugarHouse takes a trial spin

SugarHouse Casino opened its door to gamblers yesterday, hosting an invitation-only event with proceeds benefiting four local charities.

"If you get through the first 15 minutes, you're off to a good start," SugarHouse General Manager Wendy Hamilton said. "We got through the first 15 minutes."

All of the casino's earnings from the two-day trial - yesterday and tomorrow - will be split equally by the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, the Fraternal Order of Police Survivor's Fund, Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund and the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center.

Individual players will keep their winnings.

The casino, Philadelphia's first, will officially open to the public on Thursday at 1 p.m. pending approval of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which is conducting a standard audit of the casino's procedures during this trial run.

The casino, at Delaware and Frankford avenues, has divided residents.

About two dozen people joined Casino-Free Philadelphia at a dusk "memorial service." Dan Hajdo, a spokesman for the group, said they were mourning the loss of opportunities for the waterfront, as well the lives that would be ruined by compulsive gambling. He said the casino has been presented as an economic engine when it will actually take jobs away from other businesses.

"There's a sense of sadness and loss," Hajdo said.

Hamilton said the casino had hired 1,000 employees and was still looking for more. There had been 20,000 applicants for the first 800 jobs, she said.

The casino will be open 24 hours a day. Alcohol will not be served between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. It's estimated that SugarHouse will draw two million visitors a year.

Visitor Joanne Mulvenna of Port Richmond said she was impressed by the casino's appearance and customer service. "I think people need to come out and see what's going on before they judge anything," she said. "I'll come out again."

Mike Bidwell of Bristol Borough declared SugarHouse "awesome" and said its opening would change his gaming practices.

"I won't go to Parx anymore," he said, referring to the nearby casino in Bensalem. "This is nicer, cleaner. It's just better."