Gambling In Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania’s casinos provide the latest gaming machines and tables, plus possible access to on-site racing venues for additional betting. Many casinos are also entertainment hubs that offer access to concert and show venues and a wealth of exquisite dining options.

At the beginning of the decade, Harrisburg began to float the idea of legislation that would allow casinos in the state. Eventually, a casino license was granted for southwestern Pennsylvania. On August 9, 2009, gambling came once again into the spotlight with the new Rivers Casino located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. “Headed to the South Hills of Pittsburgh for some games at the Casino? Dining options in the Meadows Casino now include The Eatery a concept by Chef Fabio Viviani. Its essentially a huge modern food court - of course we now call” more. Casino Pittsburgh will be open, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, on November 24 starting at 6:00 a.m. Prior to the opening, the casino will host a few private charity events on November 14-15 to benefit the Westmoreland County Food Bank. There is also a planned ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 17.

Try your luck at one of the 12 Pennsylvania casinos below, where you’ll be sure to pocket many fond memories, if not loads of winnings.

1. Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester

Catch live harness-racing action at Harrah’s Philadelphia or watch races that are broadcasted live daily from major tracks in their indoor waging area. Meanwhile, the casino features more than 2,000 slots, video poker machines and a variety of table games.

2. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

Grantville

Hollywood is the theme at this casino, the only gaming and racing facility in central Pennsylvania. Try your luck at more than 2,400 slot machines and 56 table games, or snag a box seat at the track where live races takes place Wednesday—Saturday at 6pm.

Pittsburgh

3. Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin

Farmington

Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin is a small casino situated at the lovely Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, which offers shuttles to and from the casino 24/7. Featuring nearly 600 slot machines, 29 table games, including roulette, craps and blackjack, Lady Luck is an understated hideaway for slots lovers.

4. The Meadows Racetrack & Casino

Washington

The Meadows supplies year-round harness racing and more than 3,000 slot machines, 65 table games and a variety of entertainment options, including a 24-lane bowling alley and live entertainment at Headliners, a venue that hosts local and national performing artists. Whether you’re in the mood for casual food court dining, trackside eats, or surf and turf from an award-winning steakhouse, The Meadows has a variety of dining options to satisfy your palate.

5. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

A $208 million renovation effort dramatically transformed Pocano Downs into not only Pennsylvania's first casino, but the area's leading enterntainment complex. With 82,000 square feet of gaming space holding 2,300 slot machines, 90 table games and a 218-room, 20-suite hotel, Pocono Downs offers countless opportunities for gaming fun. The hotel and entertainment center’s unique architecture is inspired by the landscape, flora, wildlife, natural resources and personality of the Susquehanna River Valley.

6. Mount Airy Casino Resort

Mount Pocono

Mount Airy Casino has a wide variety of attractions, including an 18-hole championship golf course with 6,500 yards of manicured greens, a luxurious spa and salon, and an impressive 51,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor pool. Gamers love the 1,800 slot machines and 70 table games. Try The Buffet for the great sampling of gourmet dishes, including carving, salad, seafood and dessert stations.

7. Parx Casino and Racetrack

Bensalem

Parx Casino and Parx East, adjacent properties located 20 minutes away from Philadelphia’s Center City, feature more than 3,330 slot machines, 100 live gaming tables, plus live and simulcast racing action. Sports lovers should spend time at Jax, a sports bar featuring more than 48 poker tables, and Chickie & Pete’s, an interactive sports bar and crab house.

8. Presque Isle Downs & Casino

More than 1,700 slot machines light up this casino and racetrack. Presque Isle Downs & Casino offers shuttle that runs 24/7 to the Baymont Hotel across the street, so visitors can stay and play. Don’t miss live music on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Downs Clubhouse & Lounge and the Sunday champagne breakfast buffet.

9. Rivers Casino

Rivers Casino offers 3,000 slot machines, more than 100 tablegames and a 30-table poker room on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The casino has five restaurants to choose from including Andrew’s Steak and Seafood, named after important Pittsburg natives named Andrew such as Carnegie, Mellon and Warhol.

10. Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem

Sands Bethlehem, located on the former site of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant, is home to 3,000 slot machines, 200 table games and a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options. Shop at The Outlets at the Sands Bethlehem, check out the event center’s show schedule or dine at one of the resort’s 10 restaurants, including Steelworks Buffet & Grill and Emeril’s Chop House.

Gambling In Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

11. Sugar House Casino

Located on the site of a vacant sugar refinery on the Delaware River, the casino has more than 1,900 slot machines and 103 table games. Dine on the waterfront at The Refinery, where delicious American cuisine collides with live music and gorgeous views. The casino provides free transportation via its Sugar Express trolley from more than 24 Philadelphia locations.

12. Valley Forge Casino and Resort

King of Prussia

Valley Forge Casino and Resort has 600 slot machines, 50 live gaming tables and 485 guestrooms and suites. Plan to spend the night at the resort, where visitors can also hang out at an outdoor garden pool with views of Valley Forge National Historical Park, ride a mechanical bull at Deuces wild Buck’ Bull Saloon and chow down at eight different fine dining and casual restaurants.

Cue the drumroll: Pennsylvania’s first mini-casino has its closeup Tuesday, Nov. 24, with a full formal opening after a week of dress rehearsals with a limited audience.

The debut event of Live! Casino Pittsburgh also marks the brick-and-mortar entrance into the PA gaming market for The Cordish Companies of Baltimore.

Cordish is nationally known for the development of entertainment districts and venues. Cordish entered the crowded PA online casino market in August with the debut of PlayLive!

Doing so early meant introducing the Live! brand and a linked rewards card to the market, Rob Norton, leader of Cordish Gaming Group, told PlayPA Thursday during a phone interview.

Cordish also is nearing the opening of the full-sized Live! Casino Philadelphia in the Stadium District of South Philadelphia. An opening in early 2021 is projected. All of the PA Live! entities share the Live! rewards card, which is also used at Cordish’s Maryland property.

The COVID – 19 pandemic temporarily slowed work on both projects. But the delay is now over for Live! Pittsburgh.

Live! Pittsburgh mini-casino first mall-based casino in PA

The Western PA casino will also be the first repurposing of vacant mall space for gaming use in the Commonwealth, but not the last. Another mini-casino is set for the York area, in Morgantown, and perhaps there will be a fourth near State College to follow. A fifth remains in limbo.

The retail rehab is a first in PA for gaming, though card rooms in other jurisdictions, particularly Texas, have filled vacant retail space for some time.

Jack Cleveland Casino, downtown in the Ohio city, was a notable earlier mall conversion which opened in 2012.

And Virginia voters just approved a plan to renovate an entire moribund mall in the city of Bristol, which borders Tennessee. The Hard Rock Bristol Hotel and Casino could open in late 2022.

Cordish does not consider Live! Pittsburgh “mini”

Pittsburgh

Norton said the goal was to present a “full-sized experience” – experience being the foundation of Cordish developments for decades.

He pointed out that the Live! Pittsburgh property is “bigger than many casinos all over the country, especially in the Midwest.”

“We couldn’t be happier or more excited. The casino looks great and the experience is a game-changer.”

Casinos in pittsburgh pennsylvania

Casinos In Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Area

According to Norton, the property is more of redevelopment than conversion. And the property has worked to create a synergy with existing retailers. The second floor of the building connects to the mall and allows those under 21-years-old into the building while keeping the casino off-limits.

The facility features Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar, the Sports & Social Steel City, and PBR, a country-themed bar and restaurant.

Health safety precautions paramount at Live!

Norton said the soft opening has allowed the facility to spread out the opening rush and allow VIPs to tour the casino without crowds.

Gambling In Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Zip

As a unique safeguard, slot machines shut off when a player is finished until a Live! employee sanitizes the machine and reactivates it, added Norton.

The HVAC system turns over the air six times more often than required, said Norton, and they have many barriers set up.

Norton said leaders at the new casino have close contact with county health officials who are aware of the precautions Live! is taking. And the opening night celebration on Tuesday will take place with strict safety precautions.

Cordish already conducted a soft opening to go with the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 17. A split of gambling proceeds from the evening benefitted local charities, the Westmoreland County Foodbank and Sage’s Army. (Images provided by Live!/Cordish.)

Location and what to expect at Live! Pittsburgh

The Western PA Live! is a $150 million facility. The Cordish affiliate Stadium Casino Westmoreland RE, LLC developed the property.

There are more than 100,000 square feet of gaming, dining, and entertainment space, with 750 slots and approximately 30 table games. The suburban casino has more than 6,000 parking spaces. Sports bettors will be happy to find a FanDuel-branded retail sportsbook.

The property is the second Pittsburgh area casino, competing against Rivers Casino Pittsburgh. Officials in Alleghany County just issued a stay at home order, and work on a hotel affiliated with Rivers is stalled.

In Philadelphia, the Live! Casino will also compete against the same company, Rivers Casino Philadelphia. New restrictions due to the virus’s re-emergence mean Rivers Philadelphia will close its doors until at least Jan. 1.

But there is so far no stay-home order in nearby Westmoreland County, home to Live! Pittsburgh.

Economic impact, new jobs east of Pittsburgh

The Live! project should generate more than $188 million in annual economic impact, plus an additional $148 million in economic impact from construction.

Annual taxes are likely about $47.5 million.

Live! should provide about 500 permanent new jobs. The company paid about $32 million in estimated new wages and salaries (direct and indirect) during construction.

Casinos In Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Mini-casino concept did not quite pan out as planned

Gambling Near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Western Live! is the first of what once was envisioned as many to be 10 such properties spaced out some distance from full-sized casinos.

But just five satellite licenses were successfully auctioned off by PA. In all, the PGCB collected $114 million in license fees.

Live! had hoped to buy a second mini-casino auction in September, but they were bested by a$10 million bid which should mean Philly investor Ira Lubert will develop a property, likely at a struggling mall outside State College, PA.