State College, nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania and home to the iconic Penn State University, is about to roll the dice on a new venture. Thanks to a recent ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the long-awaited Nittany Mall Casino is finally getting the green light.
The court decisively shut down a challenge to the casino project, paving the way for SC Gaming—the company spearheading the operation—to move full steam ahead. Their ambitious plans include constructing a glitzy casino right within the Nittany Mall.
“We are pleased that this project can move forward and begin to generate tax dollars and provide employment in the future,” Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesperson Doug Harbach said in a written statement, supporting the state Supreme Court’s decision.
“The Gaming Control Board was confident in the legal manner in which it awarded the Category 4 license in College Township, and we appreciate the ruling by the Supreme Court backing our process,” Harbach said. “We are pleased that this project can move forward and begin to generate tax dollars and provide employment in the future.”
What Visitors Can Expect at New Casino
The ruling opens the door for construction on the planned $123 million, 94,000-square-foot facility to begin.
Once it’s finished, here’s what visitors can expect:
- Up to 750 Slot Machines
- 30 Table Games
- Sportsbook
- Sports-Themed Bar
The casino will be open 24/7 and will create 350 full-time jobs. The only thing left to decide is when the project will be finished.
Casino Expected to Have Big Economic Impact
The Nittany Mall Casino represents a collaborative venture between SC Gaming and the renowned Bally’s Corporation, which operates 15 casinos nationwide.
Anticipated to be a game-changer for Centre County tourism, the casino is expected to generate substantial economic benefits. Early 2023 estimates indicated that the construction phase alone would deliver a one-time economic impact of more than $61 million to the county, creating nearly 500 jobs and yielding over $20 million in employee earnings.
Officials told the Centre Daily Times that the host municipality receives 2% of gross revenue from slot machines and 1% from table games, with the county receiving the same percentages. A consultant projected that College Township, where the Nittany Mall is located, would likely receive approximately $1.6 million during the casino’s first year of operation.
Casinos Are Already Putting Up Big Numbers in PA
All of this while Pennsylvania’s gaming scene remains one of the hottest in the nation. In May, the state’s casinos raked in a staggering $576 million in revenue—second only to Nevada. And when it comes to online casinos, Pennsylvania wears the crown. It’s the lone state consistently pulling in over $200 million in monthly online casino revenue.
But wait, there’s more! Pennsylvania’s slots and table games generated a jaw-dropping $276 million on the land-based side. Rumor has it that PA’s online casinos might just outpace their brick-and-mortar counterparts soon.
And now, State College can get ready to join the action.
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