Metro: Philadelphia casinos keep eye on prize

Pick up a copy of today’s Metro Philadelphia, in which I have a story.

Unfortunately, it’s currently not online.

Metro, the international newspaper group with a successful outlet in Philadelphia, recently dropped AP content. Though they still use Reuters and other wire services, losing the largest means perhaps more opportunity for interested freelancers. So I got involved.

My story takes perspective from casino experts on just how table games could affect the clientele at currently slots-only casinos. A leading state representative recently expressed his belief that table games should be allowed.

Below see some of what I cut from the final product.

My first lede:

  • News is suddenly good for Philadelphia’s two planned casino projects. So they don’t want anything to complicate their path to construction — not even the possibility for more revenue.

Some additional quotes from a spokeswoman for one of Philadelphia’s proposed casinos:

  • “Table games allow you to attract a broader more diverse group of customers,” SugarHouse spokeswoman Leigh Whitaker said. “We anticipate we’ll be very successful without them.”
  • “Table games are a good way to serve customers,” Whitaker, the SugarHouse spokeswoman, said. “But we are focused on getting our project underway.”
  • “We understand that Pennsylvanians are interested in a variety of forms of entertainment at casinos including table games,” she said.

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