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Black Jack, Poker, Roulette, Craps and More to Debut Tuesday, July 13th, 2010!

Mount Airy Casino Resort, the landmark Poconos travel destination, today announced the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has set a launch date of Tuesday, July 13, 2010 for the reinvented resort to introduce table games.

Pending a test period and evaluation conducted by the PGCB set for July 11, the historical launch of table games will open with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2010. The public is invited to attend the festivities which will include commemorative giveaways, contests, and the ceremonial first throwing of the dice.

"We are now counting down to a monumental day for all of us here who have lived, breathed and dreamt of the launch of table games at Mount Airy," said George Toth, president and CEO of the travel destination. "As July 13th and the chance to finally announce 'let the games begin' is upon us, we look ahead to an ongoing partnership with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board."

Located 75 minutes from New York City, set in the serene and picturesque Pocono Mountains, Mount Airy Casino Resort offers guests the ultimate experience in casino gaming, golf, outdoor activities, entertainment, five restaurants, lavish guest rooms and deluxe suites. The property also boasts a state-of-the-art spa, salon and fitness center. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has approved Mount Airy Casino Resort's petition for table games at the travel destination. Poker, blackjack and other table games will be in place by the summer. For more information, visit www.mountairycasino.com.  

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The amount of gross revenue generated in August 2009 through the play of slot machines at nine casinos rose 19.8% over the previous year, according to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The nine casinos in August 2009 generated $186,936,232 in gross revenue compared to $156,052,262 in August 2008 when seven casinos were in operation. Taxes in August, based on the 55% rate, were $102,789,443, an average of $3.32 million per day returned to Pennsylvania taxpayers. The casinos collectively retained $84,146,789.07 of the gross revenue for the month.

Board Chairman Greg Fajt says the ability for the Commonwealth to bring two more casinos online over the past three months contributed to this continued increase.

"With the opening of both the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh during the summer, tax revenue from slot play that is earmarked toward lowering property taxes for our homeowners is accelerating," says Fajt.

shown above: casino interior at The Sands, Bethlehem

Fajt also notes that the opening of these two casinos created 2,045 new jobs, with the vast majority going to Pennsylvania residents.

"In a period where Pennsylvania has lost a tremendous amount of jobs, legalized gaming has been a job creation bright spot now employing over 8,000 individuals with an additional 8,000 construction jobs created to build these facilities," Fajt says.

Fajt adds that the Board will continue to work over the next two years to open the two licensed Philadelphia casinos and license two other facilities allowed under the Gaming Act that will result in continued increases in both revenue and job numbers.

The overall increase in revenue occurred even though the amount of gross revenue generated in August 2009 through the play of slot machines at the seven casinos that were also operating in August of the previous year declined -3.54%.

Comparative gross terminal revenue for each of the casinos operating in both August 2008 and August 2009 are as follows:

                Casino               August 2009      August 2008   % change

    Philadelphia Park Casino and
    Racetrack                      $30,312,468.47   $31,587,159.80    -4.04%

    Harrah's Chester Casino and
    Racetrack                      $25,709,960.86   $28,831,904.85   -10.83%

    The Meadows Racetrack and
    Casino                         $25,445,174.17   $22,000,654.39    15.66%

    Hollywood Casino at Penn
    National Racecourse            $20,365,617.89   $18,416,204.34    10.59%

    Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs    $19,287,503.53   $20,285,457.66    -4.92%

    Presque Isle Downs and
    Casino                         $14,954,500.48   $17,037,448.14   -12.23%

    Mount Airy Resort and Casino   $14,460,453.24   $17,893,433.35   -19.19%

    The Sands Casino Resort
    Bethlehem opened May 22, 2009  $20,235,659.16               --       --

    Rivers Casino
     opened August 9, 2009         $16,164,894.62               --       --

                Total             $186,936,232.42  $156,052,262.53    19.79%

The average number of operating slot machines at these facilities was 16,794 in August 2008 and 24,329 in August 2009.

The Gaming Control Board provides weekly updates of casino revenue on its web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us. In addition, videos and information on the operation of the PGCB, problem gambling efforts and assistance, future meeting schedules and past meeting transcripts, and a link to request a speaker are among the many items available to the public on the web site.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

After two very successful test days, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, a new casino and entertainment destination developed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS), has been notified by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board that it has been granted final approval to open its doors Friday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m.

Situated on the former site of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant and located approximately one hour from Philadelphia and an hour and a half from New York City, Sands Bethlehem will debut with 3,000 state-of-the-art slot machines and a variety of dining and entertainment options, including Emeril Lagasse's first restaurant in the Northeast U.S., Emeril's Chop House. The property also includes 3,400 convenient, covered parking spaces.

"We are very pleased with the results of our two test days this week and are looking forward to welcoming guests to Sands Bethlehem on Friday," said property president Robert DeSalvio. "Our team members have been looking forward to this occasion for many weeks and are excited to show our guests Sands Bethlehem hospitality and service at its best."

The new casino resort will hold its official Grand Opening with a series of special events on June 9, 2009. The Grand Opening will be attended by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Chairman Greg Fajt and LVS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson.

Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond the Company's control, which may cause material differences in actual results, performance or other expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to general economic conditions, competition, new ventures, government regulation, legalization of gaming, interest rates, future terrorist acts, insurance, and other factors detailed in the reports filed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Las Vegas Sands Corp.