The sports betting and mini-casino fields in Pennsylvania are currently going through a forming period of time, striving to shape them in the best way possible. Tuesday brought the news that Harrah’s Philadelphia has filed its application for one of the licenses for sports wagering. In the meantime, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has officially appointed 1st November for hearing satellite casino opinion from the community.
This year has been dedicated to quite the development in the region, as it is visible by the constant flow of news coming straight from the Keystone state. The management of Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack became the third casino operator within the borders of the state to file in its sports betting licensing application, joining two other developers. This leaves the field with a total of 10 companies that have yet to voice their decision whether or not they are willing to claim their spot in the future field.
Sports Betting Offerings Might Enter Three Facilities
Harrah’s Entertainment stated that the casino facility in Chester would have on offer a wide array of gaming offerings such as on-site sports betting, as well as a mobile app, providing easier access to the sports book. Caesars Interactive Entertainment LLC is going to provide the site with its advanced platform, proved its success throughout the years of operation in Nevada, Mississippi, and the company’s properties in Atlantic City.
In addition to that Harrah’s is planning to offer interactive gaming on a premium level. This is the third application filed in and the upcoming meetings of the gaming regulator might witness OKs, followed by the obligatory payment of some $10 million for the licensing within the next 60 days. It was also a pretty predictable move, as the location has a racetrack adjacent which would be thoroughly utilized once sports wagering commences on site.
Harrah’s application is adding up to the previously stated intentions of Penn National Gaming and Greenwood Racing. The developers are striving to introduce sports betting to their Pennsylvania properties, respectively Hollywood Casino and Parx Casino.
Mini-Casino on York’s Horizon
In addition to the recent development in the sports betting field, the mini-casino field has also witnessed development this week, as the state regulator has decided to take into account the community as well. It was confirmed that the satellite development proposed by Penn National Gaming several weeks ago would need the public input as well.
As it could be recalled, the Category 4 casino development would be located in a highly-accessible area at the York Galleria Mall. The building located on Whiteford Road could prove to be just the boost the casino operator needed, as this is a high-traffic area and potential casino patrons could easily make their way. Its well-known brand would embellish the former first floor of recently shuttered Sears store, bringing Hollywood Casino York to the region.
PGCB meets on Wed. at 10 am. Agenda (subject to change) has been posted to our web site at this link: https://t.co/bVXlqkZOAZ
— PGCB (@PAGamingControl) September 10, 2018
Now it has been confirmed that the beginning of November would see public opinion of Springettsbury Township being taken into account. The Township Administration Building would be the place where people could claim their support or offer their recommendations regarding the future mini-casino. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. An important detail is that each of the participants in the meeting would have to register online prior to the date, in order to reserve a spot among the individuals allowed to have a word.
Deadline for this is 30th October. All questions raised at the meeting will receive answers and further argumentation coming straight from the casino developer at a later congregation in Harrisburg.
1st Mini-Casino public input hearing scheduled. https://t.co/V1heIKu9xy
— PGCB (@PAGamingControl) September 25, 2018
Once this phase of the discussions is over, the ultimate licensing decision would be announced. It could be recalled that back in July the regulator sought initial public input. With the help of a hearing scheduled for 26th July, Springettsbury Township’s community was able to express its general attitude towards a gaming venue being constructed in the area in the foreseeable future.
Speaking of a potential launch date, Hollywood Casino York is striving to welcome its first customers towards the end of 2019 or in the first quarter of 2020. Next Wednesday would see the next appointed meeting of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board shedding more light on many gambling questions.
