Delco re:View Spring 2019 - 26

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BET ON IT ...

Sports Wagering in Historic Chester

H

arrah's Philadelphia Senior Vice President & General
Manager Chris Albrecht cut the ribbon Thursday
morning, January 24, 2019, to the new gambling
operation center called "The Book" after a two-day trial period.
State regulators gave the casino the green light and final
regulatory approval Wednesday evening, January 23rd.

Elected officials from the city of Chester, Delaware County
Council and the state Legislature, and even former Philadelphia
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, helped Albrecht open up
the designated sports betting area in the casino where bettors can
now plunk down their bets on professional and collegiate athletic
events. Harrah's becomes the fifth of 12 Pennsylvania casinos
now featuring sports betting, for which they first put up $10
million for a license. Pennsylvania also is raking off 34 percent
of the sports betting take.
FORMER PHILADELPHIA EAGLE MAKES FIRST BET
Before officially cutting the ribbon on The Book, the Harrah's
Philadelphia team welcomed former Philadelphia Eagles running
back Brian Westbrook to the podium. He also played college
football at nearby Villanova University. "Now anytime I am in
Philly, I am going to bet on my Philadelphia Eagles and of course
my Villanova Wildcats," he told the crowd.
Westbrook is a man of his word; he placed the first official bet
on Thursday afternoon. He bet on the Villanova men's basketball
team to win the national championship. That would be the
defending national champion Villanova Wildcats.
THE BOOK AT HARRAH'S PHILADELPHIA HAS IT ALL
* 19 better-than-stadium lounge seats
* 11 high-top tables; Bar seating
* 45 large screen televisions
* Food and beverage offerings "tailored specifically for
game day"
* Nearby Party Pit with seven blackjack tables and one
roulette table
* Self-betting kiosks, mobile ordering, and games

26 | Spring 2019

SPORTS BETTING HOURS
* Monday-Friday: 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday:
10 a.m.-12 a.m.
It All Starts Here ... Chester in the 21st century
Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland expressed great excitement for the
City of Chester, as this will bring more people to the city where
they can experience the many historic sites the City has to offer.
Like they say in the City of Chester ... "It All Starts Here," and
sports betting and The Book at Harrah's Philadelphia in the City
of Chester is a historic first for the city.
Recent programs to foster investment into Chester include
the Pennsylvania Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program,
which incentivizes companies with state and local tax breaks
to invest in KOZ-designated areas. The Wharf at Rivertown,
a $60 million renovation of the Chester Waterside Station of
the Philadelphia Electric Company, originally built in 1918,
was renovated and provides recreational and office space for
businesses.
Harrah's Casino and Racetrack began harness racing in
September 2006, and opened its racino in January 2007.
Talen Energy Stadium, home of the Major Soccer League
Philadelphia Union franchise, opened in 2010.
Two ships of the United States Navy have been named USS
Chester in honor of the City:
USS Chester (CL-1) of the United States Navy was the first
scout cruiser built for the Navy. In 1920, she was reclassified
as a light cruiser. She was launched on 26 June 1907, by Bath
Iron Works, Bath, Maine, sponsored by Miss D. W. Sproul, and
commissioned on 25 April 1908, Commander H. B. Wilson in
command. She was named in honor of Chester, Pennsylvania.
USS Chester (CA-27), a Northampton-class cruiser, was the
second ship of the United States Navy named after the city of
Chester, Pennsylvania. Chester was launched on 3 July 1929 by
the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey;
sponsored by Miss J. T. Blain; commissioned on 24 June 1930,
Captain Arthur Fairfield in command; and reported to the Atlantic
Fleet.
The following are listed on the National Register of
Historic Places: Delaware County National Bank, 1724 Chester
Courthouse, Chester Waterside Station of the Philadelphia
Electric Company, Old Main and Chemistry Building, William
Penn Landing Site, and the former Second Street Bridge. *
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