Poker room open at Erie casino before ‘grand’ opening

October 4, 2011 at 8:36a.m.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — The grand opening of the poker room at Presque Isle Downs & Casino isn’t until Oct. 15, but the chips are already falling where they may.

The Erie Times-News reports the poker room opened quietly on Monday and casino spokeswoman Jennifer See says it drew a “good crowd” though an estimate of how many people gambled there was not provided.

The poker room will be open 24 hours a day if demand requires it.

The casino plans to unveil the room to the media at the grand opening later this month with an appearance by 2003 World Series of Poker champion Chris Moneymaker.

The casino opened with slot machines only in February 2007. It added table games like blackjack and craps in July 2010.