Valley Forge Casino Resort Set To Open This Week, Pending Approval

By Brad Segall

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania's newest casino is scheduled to open its doors this week in Montgomery County, assuming they get the go-ahead from the state Gaming Control Board.

Workers are still putting the finishing touches on the Valley Forge Casino Resort, but the $150-million gaming facility will be ready to go for two nights of testing before the real opening. Two to three thousand invited guests each night will get a chance to wager their money tomorrow and Thursday -- sort of a dress rehearsal, according to President and CEO Sal Scheri.

"It's a friends-and-family-type event, where we have an opportunity to test out all the games. It's limited wagering, but we really do test out everything: slot machines, table games, food and beverage."

It also gives state regulators a chance to see that everything is moving along smoothly. Scheri says the test runs are necessary before they open the doors for real. "The Gaming Control Board watches and makes sure that all of our procedures are in place, the eye in the sky is working and we're ready to go."

The real thing starts Friday night, "at 9 p.m. our nightclub -- our brand new nightclub, Seven, opens and then at midnight the casino opens. So, we're looking for a really exciting time, even though it's going to be a midnight opening."

The casino will donate its proceeds from those two nights to the Upper Merion Township Foundation.