A whole new era is set to begin in Bethlehem, Pa. today as legalized gambling hits the Lehigh Valley.
The final go ahead was given Wednesday night for the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem to open Friday at 9 a.m., according to Lehigh Valley Live.
The Sands met the needed requirements during test days earlier this week so the state gaming board gave the casino the green light.
The casino was years in the making from the time that slot gaming was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2004. Gamblers can expect not only slot machines but also other entertainment and dining including Emeril's Chop House, Emeril Lagasse's signature restaurant.
Sands hopes to draw about five million visitors a year to Bethlehem, according to WFMZ. Some of those visitors won't be making the trip to Atlantic City, N.J. furthering the hurt some A.C. casinos were feeling.
So, let the revenue start flowing in -- Sands is open for business.
