HARRISBURG -- While performing arts groups and environmentalists are panning the $27.9 billion state budget for 2009-10, casino owners couldn't be happier.

That's because Gov. Ed Rendell and state legislative leaders have agreed to legalize table games, such as blackjack, roulette, dice, poker and baccarat, at the 12 large slots casinos authorized by a 2004 law. Nine of those casinos are now open.

The two in southwestern Pennsylvania, the Rivers Casino on the North Shore in Pittsburgh and The Meadows racetrack/casino in Washington County, are eagerly awaiting final approval of the new budget, expected within two weeks. Then they will begin the process of adding tables, hiring hundreds of additional workers and training them for jobs as dealers and others needed for the new games.

The table games measure will be a separate bill from the overall budget. It will specify a tax rate on table games revenue -- between 12 percent and 21 percent -- and a one-time license fee of either $10 million or $15 million.

The Meadows expects to create about 700 new jobs -- adding $28 million in payroll -- by adding 25 poker tables and 40 other table games, said spokesman David LaTorre.

"We anticipate it will take about six months (to add tables), based on our prior experience opening and operating multiple casinos over the last half century," he said. The Meadows is owned by Cannery Casino Resorts of Nevada.

Once table games are legalized, the casino "will identify potential new employees, open a 'Meadows Table Games College' and begin the training process. The college will be located near The Meadows."

Also enthusiastic is Ed Fasulo, Rivers general manager. He expects to add 40 to 60 table games, bringing several hundred additional jobs.

The Rivers also is going to set up its own school for dealers and other workers.