Philadelphia casino debuts city's first poker room

SugarHouse's interim poker room opened to the public Saturday, marking the first time poker has been legally available in the city.

Along with 24 poker tables and 100 new jobs (80 of them as poker dealers), the interim room also features:

-Mobile device charging stations at each seat compatible for iPhones and Android devices.

-A mobile app reservation system with status text message alerts.

-Massage services for players.

-A snack bar.

-Table-side food and beverage service.

The interim poker room will be in operation until the 28-table, US$ 2.9 million permanent room opens next year. It's just one part of the casino's US$ 164 million expansion, which broke ground in July. The permanent room is expected to generate US$ 1.8 million in taxes for the city and state.

With the expansion, SugarHouse will focus on adding more non-gaming amenities to the casino, including restaurants and 30,000 square feet of event space. Once it's completed, the expansion will generate about 500 new full- and part-time jobs and will result in $1 million to the Penn Treaty Special Services District for economic development in Fishtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Cope Linder Architects designed the expansion plans, Keating Consultinc is overseeing development management and Skanska USA Building is handling the construction management. Sugarhouse Casino is the only casino within city limits and recently signed a deal to be an official partner of the Philadelphia 76ers.