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Sands BethWorks Gaming Wins Bethlehem Steel Corporation Casino License

December 23, 2006, was regarded as a heaven sent blessing for construction workers, but the South Side Slots sees it as an impending disaster for the charitable bingo games in the area and the local state-run casinos. Nonetheless, even those that are expecting trouble for their businesses are pleased that Sands BethWorks Gaming LLC won the state casino license for the property of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

Tom JeBran, President of the Bethlehem-based Trans-Bridge Lines, said that he is looking forward to an industry point of view because it can bring added tourists to the area and when they stay for the night, they will naturally spend more cash on their lodgings, attractions and meals. He also said that he is concerned that the casino, which is set to open in July 2008, will feature 3,000 slot machines, thus cutting the visitors that take trans-bridge trips to Atlantic City, Delaware and Connecticut.

On the other hand, Union Leader, William Newhard has no qualms in celebrating the Sands' win. The developers of the project signed an agreement with the Newhard organization, the Union Building and the Construction Trades Council of the Lehigh Valley. Newhard also expects that the entire variety of trades that are represented there, from the foundation layers to the roofers, observe the work of the largest project he can recall since the building of the Conectiv Bethlehem Generation plant on Applebutter Road.

Newhard said that many of them have roles in constructing the plant. Peter DiPietro, a retired steelworker, now in charge of the bingo games at the Dewey Fire Co. Social Hall in Hellertown, has a compromise in the works to make up for the players that he expects to lose because of the slot machines. He asked that the Sands casino set aside a portion of the winnings each week for the different charitable bingo groups in the area. He further added that this would be a good compromise so that they could all co-exist peacefully.

Dewey Fire Company Bingo currently pays up to $500 with the profits going toward their $600 monthly rent and the Pennsylvania Federation of Injured Workers. Dewey Hall's profits also go to the Christmas Party and the Easter Egg Hunt Celebration for Children and the Thanksgiving Dinners that are delivered to those who can not afford to buy their own.

The revenues from the games also go towards scholarships for the children of the members. The children of the members receive about $2,000 a year for 4 years. He is already expecting a loss of their players once the casino opens. Martin said that players who do have an ample amount of money may choose the activities in the casino rather than bingo.

 

Sunday, December 31 , 2006
Brian Letendre