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The grand opening of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem was filled with character and celebration.  The $743 million gambling complex finally brought gambling to a town where hardworking steel workers once toiled for their earnings.  Many of the locals in and around Bethlehem welcomed the slot machines, both old and young.

Among the more colorful groups in the crowd of thousands of patrons was the self proclaimed “Gambling Goddesses”: a quartet of friends named Sandy Johnson, Carol Machain, Pat Csencsits, and Judy Metzger.  The ladies took an entire day off work just to be among the first to play at the 3,000 slot machines littering the massive gaming floor.  Before trying their lucky, the friends gathered in a circle, joined their hands in the center like a sports team, and cheered for a jackpot.

“I'll be back tomorrow,” said Csencsits.

“I'll be back tonight,” said Machain not to be outdone by her chum.

There were other stories to be found on the casinos 139,000 square foot casino floor.  Donald Boylan is not even a resident of Pennsylvania.  He is from Long Island, New York and an avid gambling fan.  In fact Boylan arrived at the Sands fresh off of a 15 day road trip out to Reno, Nevada where he lost $5,000 dollars.  Not concerned about muscling his way to being the first to play at the slot machines, he was content to play the slot machines found at the Coil lounge bar where he had a bartender at his disposal.

“Well, I'm down $120,” said Boylan, having only been playing at the slot machines for a half hour.

“Hey, it's something to do. I'm retired, and I don't really like gardening.”

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