PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A City Council committee today debates the expansion plans of the SugarHouse Casino.

SugarHouse is gambling that the demand for their slot machines and table games will grow as the facility does.

Spokesperson Leigh Whitaker says this was in the works since before SugarHouse opened.

“What we opened last year was what we call the interim casino. We’ve always had a phased development plan for the property. We will have additional slot machines, additional table games. We will also have a dedicated poker room.”

A city council committee today is reviewing those plans that also include a dedicated poker room, a new high limit room and an expanded gaming floor, growing from 50,000 square feet to 90,000. Parking will also get a boost, with a seven-story garage that is connected directly to the casino.

In addition to City Council, the plans must also be approved by the Gaming Control Board.

Construction would begin next summer, with completion in fall of 2013.

Reported by City Hall Bureau Chief Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060