Valley Forge casino to open in '12

THE REGION'S spring 2012 gambling calendar has added another red-letter date.

Yesterday, it was announced that Valley Forge Casino Resort will open its doors sometime during the second quarter of next year.

Already on the books for May are the grand openings of Revel, the $2 billion-plus mega-resort on Atlantic City's Boardwalk, and the debut of a multipurpose entertainment and exhibition hall at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem that will allow that property to compete with Atlantic City for A-list headliners.

The Valley Forge casino will be part of the Valley Forge Convention Center complex in King of Prussia. It will be southeastern Pennsylvania's only Category 3 gaming hall, which means that its roughly 35,000-square-foot gaming area is limited to 600 slot machines and 50 table games. By contrast, Parx, in Bensalem, boasts 164,000 square feet of gaming containing 3,500 slot machines, 120 table games and 50 poker tables.

Access to the casino resort will be limited to guests at either of the existing hotels in the convention center complex (Radisson and Scanticon) or those who are dining on the property.

Casino president and CEO Saverio R. "Sal" Scheri said that it has yet to be determined how the casino will police the admission restrictions, noting that the subject has to be taken up with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

During a media tour of the construction site yesterday, Scheri said that the casino's amenities will include a centrally placed bar and lounge and three snackbar-style outlets on the casino floor.

Two upscale full-service restaurants - offering Italian and steak/seafood menus - are also planned for an upper level. These, he noted, will not follow the current gambling-industry trend of involving celebrity chefs. There also will be a fitness center.

Scheri promised "a wide variety of table games - something for everyone," but said that there are no plans to offer poker on a regular basis, although legally the casino can do so. However, he suggested that monthly tournaments in an existing ballroom are being considered.

According to the gaming exec, his casino will provide 500 permanent jobs, not including those involved in the construction project.