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Four Years Later, First Phila. Casino Preps for Opening

Almost four years after licenses were awarded, the first casino in Philadelphia is scheduled to open its doors later this week.

KYW's Tony Romeo reports that the opening will come after two days of testing at SugarHouse, beginning Monday.

Gaming Control Board chairman Greg Fajt said, "Allelujah! A long time in coming."

Fajt wasn't even on the board when it decided on which applicants would receive the two casino licenses designated for Philadelphia in December, 2006.

But, after all the delays, Fajt is clearly pleased with the SugarHouse facility preparing to open its doors this week:

"It is a beautiful facility. They did what they said they were going to as to upgrading Delaware Avenue, and also the ingress and egress."

All that's left now is two days of testing, with proceeds going to charity.

Invited guests will be the first patrons during six hours of test operations this evening.

There will be on off-day Tuesday, so that any issues that arise can be discussed, and then more testing on Wednesday.

If all goes well, SugarHouse will open its doors to the public on Thursday.

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