SC Gaming granted Pennsylvania casino licence

SC Gaming has been granted a Category 4 slot machine licence by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

A new Category 4 casino, which will be operated by Bally’s Corporation in College Township, Centre County, will offer 750 slot machines and 30 table games at opening.

A facility for retail sports wagering, a stage for live music and special events as well quick serve food and beverage outlets will also feature.

Upfront construction costs are estimated at US$35m and the facility expects to support 350 full-time equivalent construction jobs.

SC Gaming representatives told the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board it expects construction to last approximately 12 months.

The company can add an additional 10 table games after its first year of operation.

The award concludes a process the board began in September 2020, when businessman Ira Lubert secured the right to locate a casino with a winning bid of $10m at a Category 4 auction held by the board.

Mr Lubert then filed an application in January 2021 to locate the casino in a 94,000 square foot space that formerly housed a Macy’s department store at the Nittany Mall in College Township.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board investigated the application, with a public input hearing and receipt of written comments completed by June 2022.