With Sands casino, steel city forges new identity

— -- Folk in distressed Bethlehem, Pa., site of the now-closed Bethlehem Steel plant, hope they'll hit the jackpot with a new casino from a Las Vegas gaming titan.

The Sands Bethlehem Casino, from The Venetian and Palazzo chief Sheldon Adelson, celebrates its grand opening Tuesday. The $743 million casino, on the site of the shut-down steel mill, includes about 3,000 slot machines, electronic blackjack and three-card poker machines.

Pennsylvania does not allow table games with dealers, says casino spokesman Jamie Paster. The Sands also has lounges and a restaurant from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. A hotel is planned. The eastern Pennsylvania casino aims to draw gamers from New Jersey and New York, too.