PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The ribbon was cut at the Turf Club in South Philadelphia as it joins Parx in Bensalem and SugarHouse as places to legally make sports bets.
RELATED: Parx Casino launches sports betting at convenient time for Eagles fans
Giorgio Wagner of Warrington placed a parlay bet on college basketball during a soft opening the day before, and he was the first one to approach the Turf Club window after the ribbon cutting.
"That was the first official cash," he said.
He won $337.50 for a $50 wager.
The first winning payout at the Turf Club: $337.50 for a $50 college hoops parlay. pic.twitter.com/G0mSNlYofQ
— Mike DeNardo (@_MikeDeNardo)
January 17, 2019 Parx operates the Turf Clubs, and vice president Mathew Cullen says a big question is whether the addition of virtual sports betting will add to or cut into the physical business.
"From a retail perspective, how does online and mobile sports betting - when we go live with that - impact the retail experience? We just don't know that yet," he said.
Another thing they don't know is how much the Stadium Casino - expected to open across the street in two years - will affect business.
The ceremonial ribbon is cut, and the sports book at the S Philly Turf Club is open. pic.twitter.com/PalXd9XWkY
— Mike DeNardo (@_MikeDeNardo)
January 17, 2019 Cullen says for now, its Turf Club location at the sports complex provides synergies with fans betting games happening right across the parking lot.
He expects the Turf Club's Oaks location to begin sports betting within a couple of months.
