Hundreds of people waited in line this morning to try their luck at the first slots casino in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino became the fifth gambling parlor in Pennsylvania when it threw its doors open at 8:44 a.m. after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The opening came a week later than scheduled because of security improvements.

The 1,738-machine facility opened for test runs over the weekend.

The casino is being housed in a temporary structure until a permanent parlor near the Meadows‘ harness track opens in 2009.