Penn National Gaming has reportedly selected one site for one of the two mini-casinos it plans to open in the Keystone State. The Berks County-based company has confirmed that it has an option agreement with the owners of the York Galleria Mall that is off Route 30 in Springettsbury Township, York County, to have its proposed Hollywood Casino York located on the first floor of the mall which was previously occupied by the Sears store.
In the statement released by the company, they mentioned that they hope to apply later this month to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for a permit to set up one of its mini-casinos at the York Galleria Mall.
“We believe this location, together with our second Category 4 license in Berks County, will provide us a great opportunity to generate new revenues in the Commonwealth while protecting our existing market share in Central Pennsylvania,” Eric Schippers, a company spokesman, said in the statement.
The company spokesperson further revealed that Penn National Gaming plans to disclose additional information regarding its plans in York County on September 12 – this will also be the date when the company will file its application with the state’s gaming control board.
In January, Penn National successfully bid a whopping $50.1 million for a location centered on a borough in southern York County known as Yoe. By winning the bid, the company was given the right to set up a mini-casino within 15 miles of the site. $50 million is a pretty huge amount but Penn National Gaming has expressed high hopes for the endeavor – the location will presumably attract customers from Maryland while at the same time complement its existing Hollywood Casino facility at the Penn National Race Course.
This is not the only licenses Penn National acquired – it won a second Category 4 casino license in April for a $7.5 million. This amount was fairly small when compared to the company’s first successful bid but it too represents a great opportunity for the operator.
Good News for the Mall and York County
CBL Properties, the owners of the York Galleria, has released a statement through their spokesperson which highlights the company’s negotiations with Penn National Gaming.
“If approved, this new casino will spur significant economic growth for the region, generating substantial tax revenue and creating hundreds of jobs,” Stacey Keating, the CBL Properties spokesperson said. “This addition would also be a boon to the entire property, driving additional traffic and sales.”
According to Benjamin Marchant, the manager of the Springettsbury Township, the municipality is quite excited about the proposed casino that is expected to help in reinventing and revitalizing the York Galleria. Furthermore, everything should get even better with the operator’s planned sports betting offering being a few months away.
“We are confident this will be a good investment for the mall and the community,” Marchant said.