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Bethlehem casino opens in time for holiday weekend

Bethlehem, whose name was synonymous with steel and decline, today joined the ranks of cities in Pennsylvania and the nation betting that casino gambling will help assure its future.

Nancy Carlson, 53, of South Plainfield, plays video slots at the
Sands Bethlehem Casino shortly after grand opening today.  (Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer)
Nancy Carlson, 53, of South Plainfield, plays video slots at the Sands Bethlehem Casino shortly after grand opening today. (Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer)Read more

Bethlehem, whose name was synonymous with steel and decline, today joined the ranks of cities in Pennsylvania and the nation betting that casino gambling will help assure its future.

The Sands Casino Report opened its doors 20 minutes earlier than planned this morning at what used to be the Bethlehem Steel plant.

Several hundred people poured onto the floor of the $743 million casino, which debuts with 3,000 slot machines and is the eighth gaming hall to open in the state since slots-only gambling was legalized in 2004.

The Sands is expected to promote itself heavily in the North Jersey and New York area, causing concern in Atlantic City that it will siphon off even more gamblers from the Shore Resort.