Sands Bethlehem to Introduce Live Dealer Electronic Table Games

Sands aim to launch electronic table games in their Pennsylvania casino (Image: CalvinAyre).

Las Vegas Sands hopes to launch electronic table games operated by live dealers in their Sands Bethlehem gaming establishment in Pennsylvania, the company chiefs have revealed.

Sands representatives notified the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) of their plans on Tuesday, while giving a presentation of their pitch.

About Electronic Table Games

These electronic table games (ETG) are able to accommodate up to 150 players at any one time, while at the same time only four to eight croupiers deal the cards or operate a roulette wheel. The gamers place their wagers and receive winnings through the individual betting terminals, with the process taking place without any human intervention.

This kind of arrangement allows the casino operators to serve the same number of players with fewer staff, which in turn helps the casinos improve their profit margins. And with ETG terminals allowing lower minimum bets, these should be mostly attended by amateur players, while high rollers will continue to play at traditional tables.

Sands Bethlehem leads the way when it comes to table games revenue in the state, with their 207 tables seeing a 21 per cent increase in revenue up to $15.3 million on 2014 and no doubt that the numbers will continue to grow if the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board accepts their latest proposal.

Electronic table games have proved a major hit in the Macau gaming establishments, and Las Vegas Sands chiefs expect to see even better results in their Pennsylvania casino.

Win-Win Situation

The company president Mark Juliano has confirmed that Sands Bethlehem would be forced to relocate some 122 slot machines in order to make way for the ETG’s, but also rejected claims that their current slot machine offer would be decreased. He also went to suggest that there would be no job cuts to accommodate the new arrangement, but they would rather employ additional 50 job seekers, including up to 25 croupiers.

It is important to note that Sands already operates ETG betting terminals at their Las Vehas establishments, while these have been approved in New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia. And if everything goes according to plan, Sands Bethlehem will be the next high-profile casino to introduce electronic table games.