The $800 million gambling complex which sits on the historic Bethlehem Steel site in South Bethlehem will undergo a massive expansion.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is expected to launch a two-year expansion that includes another 300-room hotel tower, 110,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops and an adjoining 75,000-square-foot convention center that will hold up to 500 people, according to The Morning Call.
Julia Corwin, director of brand marketing at Sands Bethlehem, this morning declined to confirm or deny the report of the expansion. She said a statement will be released in the next couple of weeks.
However, she said the press release will “fill in any blanks” about the report of the expansion.
The casino, which opened in May 2009, has more than 3,000 slot machines, 200 table games, 300-room hotel and 14,000-square-foot event center. Last year, the casino grossed $177 million in table game revenue – the highest in the state, and had more than $200 million in slots revenue, second highest in Pennsylvania.
“The Sands Casino Resort is a great economic development engine in the Lehigh Valley and a major marketing vehicle for the region,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. “Its continued growth and expansion not only creates more jobs and economic activity, but it continues to expose the Lehigh Valley to more people and enhances overall awareness of the region.”
The expansion plans follow the hiring of Mark Juliano as president and CEO in May – after his predecessor, Robert DeSalvio, resigned in March.
Juliano arrived in Bethlehem from Marina Bay Sands, the company’s resort in Singapore, where he was senior vice president and chief casino officer. Juliano has served in senior roles in both Atlantic City and Las Vegas. His previous positions include president and chief operations officer of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, chief executive officer of Trump Entertainment Resorts, president of Caesars Atlantic City and chairman of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.
According to The Morning Call report, the casino’s Emeril Lagasse’s Italian Table restaurant will be replaced by a Cajun-themed restaurant. Lagasse is connected with two other restaurants at the casino.
Also according to the newspaper, the casino could be remodeled.
