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Early Morning for Slot Machines
Opening day for the Sands Casino Resort
Bethlehem was packed with anticipation manifested in several different
emotions. Starting as early as 3:30 am, patrons lined up outside the
new casino with one goal in mind: to be the very first to get a spin on
the 3,000 brand new slot machines on the casino gaming floor.
Thomas Blair a 64 year old man raised in
Bethlehem was the first to show up. The early riser arrived at the
casino so early in the morning that parking garage had yet to open. Not
discouraged, Blair parked on the street a mile away from the resort.
His determination paid of as he was the
very first to line up outside the casino, ahead of thousands of psyched
patrons that eventually began chanting “Here we go, Sands, here we go!”
The mob eventually persuaded casino officials to allow access to the
slot machines 20 minutes early. When the wave of excited players poured
in amongst the slot machines, it did not matter that Blair was first in
line. His 64 year old body was not nearly quick enough to out pace the
crowd riding on sheer adrenaline. None the less, Blair was happy to be
there.
“This is history,” said Blair. Blair is
a retired iron worker who has lived in Bethlehem since pits of Bethlehem
Steel were in full operation.
“There's a new business in town. I
wanted to be part of it. Plus, I really like to gamble.”
Aside from being the first to play the
slot machines a the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem it is likely that many
of the patrons present at the opening day wanted to be the first to hit
a big payout on one of the slot machines.
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