Bally’s Corp is a popular casino operator in the US that aims to expand its operations in the state of Pennsylvania. The company struck a deal to build a mini-casino in the Keystone State, which comes just in time since the casinos were allowed to reopen after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
Bally made an announcement on Monday that a “framework agreement” had been signed with Ira Lubert, a real estate developer who currently has a Category 4 casino license in Pennsylvania. Bally will be allowed to “develop, construct, and manage” a mini-casino that should be within a 15-mile radius of Penn State University.
According to Bally, the construction should begin sometime in H1, and the completion is expected to take place in a year after that. After the property is completed and opens its doors to visitors, they will have an opportunity to play up to 750 slot machines and enjoy gambling on 30 table games. Bally’s partners will also seek the right to start online gambling and online sports betting products as part of the casino.
The entire project would cost the operator approximately $120 million. After the casino is completed, Bally will have a chance to hold the majority of stakes, in addition to the casino’s sports betting and online gaming activity. However, before the operator can commence working on the casino, the regulators will have to approve it. So far, there doesn’t seem to be any objections to the deal, so the regulation should go smoothly.
Bally’s Expansion
It’s safe to say that Bally’s has been doing pretty well. It’s been expanding a lot for the previous couple of years, and its primary targets were states where online betting and casino gambling were legal. It means that Pennsylvania seems like a perfect state to continue its expansion. Bally’s has had a great year behind it, despite a terrible year for land-based gaming overall. It’s CEO, George Papanier, stated that setting the company’s foot in Pennslyvania “a great way to cap off a truly exceptional year.”
Pennsylvania has also been working hard on making gambling possible both off and online. It welcomed its first Category 4 casino back in November after Cordish Companies launched Live! Casino Pittsburgh. However, the casino didn’t operate for a very long time, as it was launched just before the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Therefore, the casino had to close its doors, along with many other non-essential businesses, as Gov. Tom Wolf instructed them to do so on December 12. For older casinos in Pennsylvania, this was their second shutdown in 2020.
The casinos were able to open their doors once again on Monday, but they will have to operate at a 50% capacity. Moreover, many casinos in Philadelphia will have to impose other restrictions as well. For example, no indoor dining will be allowed. These restrictions will last until January 15. After that, the state’s officials will come up with new instructions regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
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