Gaming Board Allows Poker and Other Table Games at Casinos

Casinos in the state of Pennsylvania are not allowed to host and offer live table games like Blackjack and Poker, but they could soon be allowed to offer the substitute for the games.

The State Gaming Control Board, has decided to give permission to the casinos to offer the Table Master game, which will not need a real dealer but is made to simulate casino table games. With the Table Master Game, up to 5 players can play at a given time.

They will sit around a big, flat screen television, which will show pictures of virtual poker or a blackjack dealer, who will then give the cards to each of the players. Each player can compete by himself against the dealer. Players do not need to worry because they will not be affected by the performance of their opponents.

The Philadelphia Park racing track casino in Bucks County has placed an order of 16 electronic Table Master Games, which will be available to the playing public on May 5, 2007. Aside from each wagering position being connected in a one-on-one basis to the dealer, each player position is also connected on the central accounting computer of the state in Harrisburg, according to Doug Harbach.

Each of the racing tracks in Pennsylvania currently offers around 1,500-2,000 slot machines, but they can now have 5,000 slot machines. The central computer system will also make sure that no one will have the chance to tamper with the gaming devices and make sure that the state will get its 55% share.

The Table Master Game is allowed because the odds happen at any time and the players' decisions regarding their cards will not affect the situation of the other players. Aside from Philadelphia Park, other Pennsylvania racing tracks like the Meadows Casino, which will open in May 2007, are expected to also feature the electronic table games.

Joseph Weinert from the Gaming Industry Observer, which monitors the gaming industry, commented that the addition of the Table Master Games is not a good development for the casinos in Atlantic City, whose profits are already being taken away by the Philadelphia Park and the newly opened Chester Downs by Harrah's in Delaware County. Officials from the gaming board in Pennsylvania are also hoping that the new poker games will achieve favorable results compared with the games in West Virginia and Delaware.

May 08, 2007
Michael Orwell