They're already calling it the "rasino," which is kind of a wacky combination of the words race track and casino. Officially, it'll be known as Presque Isle Downs, and folks around Erie, Pa., and well beyond this region are getting excited about the grand opening, which is just over a month away.

The casino, which offers slot machines, video poker games and such, opens first. A thoroughbred race track will open at the site in Summit Township in October. Many observers have noted with a certain wryness that the name "casino" rather than "slots" parlor is already being used. It hints, most of us believe, at what's to come -- a full-scale casino, that is.

While there's excitement over this new source of entertainment, legal gambling on such a scale will be new to this region, and will likely introduce some unexpected developments. Perhaps even some unsavory ones. The Erie Times-News has already recognized what a major story this is and will continue to be for the forseeable future.

John Guerreiero, a prize-winning Erie Times-News reporter with 27 years of on-the-job experience, has covered gambling in this region for the newspaper since a slots operation was first mentioned several years ago. He made five separate trips to Harrisburg in 2006 to report on key developments.

An interesting side story on the casino has been the question if it would be exempted from a county-wide smoking ban in public buildings, including restaurants and bars. Erie County Council members voted recently not to exempt Presque Isle Downs, and it appears that Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell will not dispute the ruling. Big tobacco companies might assist local tavern owners in filing a suit over the smoking ban, which is another story that will play out in the weeks and months ahead.

Overall, Erie will likely be changed by Presque Isle Downs and the smoking ban -- already two of the biggest stories of the new year.

Stay tuned. It's only starting to get interesting.

-- Kevin Cuneo