The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has decided to allow casinos in the state to offer the Table Master, an electronic table game that features a virtual dealer. This new game could substitute table games like blackjack and poker, which are prohibited in the state.

The Table Master allows up to five players to play at one time. Gamblers sit at separate seats before a flat-screen TV, where the virtual blackjack or poker dealer is shown. Each player competes against the dealer and one individual's play doesn't affect anyone else's odds or results.

“The board felt these machines will provide another strong entertainment value, one that will produce more revenue” Board spokesman Doug Harbach explained. “Besides each betting position being independently connected to the virtual dealer, each position also is independently connected to the state's central accounting computer in Harrisburg.”

Philadelphia Park racetrack/casino has already purchased sixteen of the electronic blackjack and poker table games and the other three existing racetrack/casinos are expected to order the games soon. Each gaming venue currently has about 1,500 to 2,000 slot machines but they can have up to 5,000 each.