Saratoga Casino Holdings has obtained a gaming license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, clearing key regulatory hurdles for its development and operation of the Happy Valley Casino in central Pennsylvania. This New York-based operator thus expands its business to Pennsylvania, forming a layout with non-tribal casino licenses in New York, Mississippi, and Colorado. The compliance process for related US casino projects can be queried through the PASA official website.
License Approval and Equity Background
After four years of litigation, the dust has settled! The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board initially granted a Category 4 casino license to SC Gaming under Ella Lubert in September 2020, but this led to prolonged litigation until the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the original decision, ending the dispute. Subsequently, Lubert sold a 60% majority stake in the project to Saratoga, and the equity transfer and management handover were completed in June this year. SC Gaming had previously paid a $10 million license fee.
Construction Planning and Business Layout
The total investment amounts to $120 million! The casino is located in the vacant Macy's space inside the Nittany Mall in College Town, close to Pennsylvania State University and Beaver Stadium. The project adopts a phased construction approach, completing the backstage area construction by the end of December, installing backup generators in mid-January, and finishing the renovation of the dining and gaming areas in early March, with full completion expected by the end of March. Initially, the casino will be equipped with 600 slot machines and 30 gaming tables, covering various games such as blackjack, roulette, and mini-baccarat, with no live poker, sports betting, or online gambling services in the first year.
Local Market Positioning and Corporate Layout
As a Category 4 satellite casino, Happy Valley Casino can expand up to 750 slot machines and is a non-smoking venue. It is planned to open in April 2026 and will become the 18th casino in Pennsylvania. Dining facilities include the sports-themed restaurant "Aces Social," the "Lucky Break Café" offering pizzas and burgers, and a central bar open 24 hours. Saratoga currently owns multiple properties in New York, Colorado, and Mississippi, managing over 175,000 square feet of gaming space. This new project will bring economic vitality and job opportunities to the State College area.
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