Steelers fans on their way to a Dec. 2 home game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers might be able to place their first legal wager on the game a few hundred yards away at the Rivers Casino.

That’s the hope of casino officials, who received tentative approval Wednesday morning from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to begin offering sports wagering under the state’s gambling expansion. Five casinos in the state are now approved to take sports bets, once they set up a site, staffing and technology that receive final approval from the gaming board’s staff.

In a brief hearing prior to the board’s vote, representatives of the Rivers and its parent firm, Rush Street Gaming, set Dec. 1 as their  target date to begin operating the “sports book,” as it is known.

An initial temporary location would be near the existing “high limit” section of the North Shore facility, with a permanent location in the center of the gaming floor expected to be ready in spring of 2019, replacing the Levels Lounge. Online access to sports betting will also likely become available next year.

Casino officials provided no estimate of what it will cost to develop the sports book — aside from a $10 million state licensing fee — or how much revenue it will generate, but they noted the proximity to both Heinz Field and PNC Park and many sports-related events already hosted at the Rivers.

“Essentially, sports is in our DNA at the property here in Pittsburgh,” said Andre Barnabei, vice president of slot operations.

Similar to what has existed in Nevada for decades, bets will be taken on wide-ranging professional and collegiate sports, including wagers that can be made on games as they are in progress.

Since a U,S. Supreme Court ruling in May struck down a federal ban against sports betting outside of Nevada, the new gambling has already started in five additional states before Pennsylvania. For now, enthusiasts in Pennsylvania are still placing bets either with illegal underground bookies or using online accounts with unregulated operators from outside the U.S.

The temporary sports betting space at the Rivers was described as consisting of more than 3,000 square feet that will include 98 seats, 15 wall televisions to view games, a bar with video poker games, self-service betting kiosks and a counter with staff taking wagers. The area makes use of an existing cashier counter that has not been in operation.

Rather than starting up sports betting from scratch, the Rivers will have its sports book operated by Rush Street Interactive, an affiliate of its parent firm that is already handling sports wagering in New Jersey and Colombia.

Rush Street Interactive partners with the Kambi Group, which is based in Europe and operates sports books around the world. The SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, which is also owned by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, received its own approval Wednesday to use the same providers with intent of also taking sports bets starting Dec. 1.

Although sports betting is a relatively small revenue generator for casinos compared to slots and other games, Mr. Barnabei said the Rivers will be removing 58 slot machines temporarily and 55 permanently to make room for the sports book. Generally, sports betting is viewed by the casino industry as an option that draws additional customers who then spend more money on other gambling or amenities.

“We are very excited,” Mr. Barnabei said, to begin offering the new form of gambling.

Separately, the Rivers earlier this month withdrew its application to offer new online gaming that simulates the slot machines, table games and poker taking place within the bricks-and-mortar casino. Casino officials say they are still mulling whether to seek to offer those forms of internet games at a later date.

Regardless of what the Rivers does, those online gambling options will be available to anyone 21 and older making use of web platforms that are to be created in coming months by SugarHouse and other casinos in the state.

Gary Rotstein: grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.

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