New Casino Morgantown Pa
BERKS COUNTY, PA — A new casino could be on the way to Berks County. Penn National Gaming, a nationwide gaming organization, has filed a proposal with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to build. Gaming at Hollywood Casino Morgantown According to the lastest information, Hollywood Casino Morgantown's new 89,500 square foot facility will open with 750 slot machines, a sports book, and 30 table games, with the possiblity of adding 10 more after the first year of operation. Details of the Hollywood Casino Morgantown site. The location of the proposed casino is about 15 miles southeast of the initial location, originally announced as West Cocalico. The proposed casino will be located on a vacant site near where the Pennsylvania I-76 Turnpike meets I-176 and the Morgantown Express. For example, BetMGM launched in Pennsylvania in partnership with Hollywood Casino Morgantown – despite the land-based property still under construction. Therefore, there’s a somewhat likely scenario where Bally’s online sportsbook and casino will be available before the launch of the land-based Bally’s property. Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is transforming the Philadelphia Stadium Entertainment District. Experience big league action from best-in-class dining and entertainment, and world-class gaming and hotel accommodations.
Following Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for a statewide shutdown of non-essential business activities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Penn National Gaming, Inc. announced the immediate suspension of construction on its planned Hollywood Casino Morgantown and Hollywood Casino York.
Both Category 4 facilities, Hollywood Casino Morgantown, a $111 million project, was expected to open in November of this year, while Hollywood Casino York, a $120 million project at the York Galleria Mall, was expected to open by the end of the year. Category 4 facilities, also known as “mini casinos,” are authorized to operate up to 750 slot machines and 40 table games.
“We fully support the Governor’s effort to try to stem the tide of this unprecedented public health threat,” Jay Snowden, president and CEO of Penn National Gaming, said. “We also believe it’s prudent to revisit any and all capital expenditure commitments in order to help preserve liquidity in light of the impact of COVID-19 on our business.”
Snowden said the company will continue to consult with Wolf’s office as well as necessary health authorities to determine when construction can begin again.
“In the meantime, we appreciate the patience, understanding and support of our community leaders in Morgantown and York, as well as our local construction teams,” he said.
The final Pennsylvania satellite casino found a home. The second of two mini-casino properties secured by Penn National will call Morgantown, PA home. The Central Pennsylvania township splits the difference between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
More technically, the casino will be in Caernarvon Township in Berks County. It is located near the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76), I-176, and the Morgantown Expressway (Rt. 10).
Hollywood Casino Morgantown is a $111 million project with slot machines, tables games, and, hopefully, a race and sportsbook.
From West Cocalico to Morgantown
The license for Hollywood Casino Morgantown was the last one auctioned off this past spring. Penn National spent $50 million on Hollywood Casino York, creating a southern buffer from its flagship Hollywood Casino and other mini-casinos.
The West Cocalico selection on April 4 created an Eastern PA buffer for the property. The new Morgantown property will accomplish the same effect.
Compared to Hollywood Casino York, Hollywood Casino Morgantown’s license was a steal at just a hair over the minimum price of $7.5 million.
While Hollywood Casino York will go into an old Sears in York Galleria, Hollywood Casino Morgantown will be in a free-standing structure on a 36-acre plot.
Penn National Gaming CEO Timothy J. Wilmott shed some light on selecting a location:
New Casino Proposed In Morgantown Pa
“While we explored numerous locations for our Category 4 casino in and around Berks County, the site we selected is unparalleled in terms of ease of access to three major arteries. Hollywood Casino Morgantown is ideally situated to generate new revenues from the more densely populated suburbs to the west of Philadelphia, while further protecting our existing market share at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.”
First definite plans to offer mini-casino sports betting
The last of the mini-casino plans contained a first for the Category 4 casinos. During the announcement for Hollywood Casino York, PGCB Director of Communication Doug Harbach confirmed mini-casinos could eventually offer PA sports betting.
In order to do so, mini-casinos will need to follow a similar procedure as South Philadelphia Turf Club did with Parx Casino. There does not need to be any more money on top of Penn National’s $10 million license. However, the satellite will need to be vetted by PGCB.
If Parx is any indication, Morgantown and York cannot take wagers until Hollywood Casino proves it can run sports betting to the PGCB’s liking. Given the timeline, that should not be an issue. Penn National is hoping to take bets starting next month. Meanwhile, neither mini-casino project is really off the ground.
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Hollywood York public hearing is tomorrow
In fact, Hollywood Casino York still has a big hurdle to clear. Thursday, the PGCB will host a public hearing on the project.
To put it bluntly, many citizens near the York location are less than thrilled with the location. The township had opted out of a mini-casino before Penn National convinced the town leadership to opt back in.
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This will be an opportunity to publicly oppose the project before final details are set in stone.