Years of court battles in Bally’s State College Casino finally came to a decision last week, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to PlayPennsylvania on Monday morning. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a license the PGCB granted the casino back in 2020, which means construction on the property can begin.
The PGCB awarded SC Gaming’s Ira Lubert, a real estate investor, a mini-casino license in September 2020, over Stadium Casino, the owners of Live! Casino Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
PGCB Communications Director, Doug Harbach, told PlayPennsylvania on Monday:
“SC Gaming can proceed with the project unless there is another appeal to a higher court. The Board’s role now is to work with SC Gaming on the development of the project in following regulations and to monitor the process through the point of when they are prepared to hold test sessions and open to the public.”
Ira Lubert, SC Gaming win legal battle in Supreme Court
The legal dispute between SC Gaming and Stadium Casino lasting nearly four years, has come to end, unless something unexpected happens.
Lubert placed a winning bid that exceeded $10 million back in 2020, which Stadium Casino had immediately contested, claiming that Lubert improperly bid on the license. Stadium Casino’s attorney believed that Lubert “entered into all kinds of arrangements, several arrangements with other entities” after the bid, but before the application.
However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court siding with the SC Gaming proves that the PGCB’s process checked out.
“The Gaming Control Board was confident in the legal manner in which it awarded the Category 4 license in College Township, and we appreciate the ruling by the Supreme Court backing our process,” Harbach said. “We are pleased that this project can move forward and begin to generate tax dollars and provide employment in the future.”
There is no timeline on the start and completion of the new casino near Penn State’s campus. However, it appears as if all systems are a go for SC Gaming. Bally’s is going to have a retail presence, which can absolutely help Bally Casino PA.
Timeline of events in Nittany Mall Casino case
Over the span of four years, there’s been nothing short of high drama between the two sides fighting for the casino in Happy Valley. Here is a timeline of the events from the start in 2020, to the finish just last week:
- September 2020: PGCB awards Lubert, SC Gaming mini-casino license
- October 2021: Stadium Casino challenges SC Gaming’s winning bid
- April 2022: Locals oppose casino near Penn State campus
- August 2022: Construction delays because of ongoing lawsuit
- December 2022: Stadium Casino allowed to intervene during PGCB meeting
- January 2023: PGCB grants SC Gaming a Category 4 license in final public hearing
- February 2023: Stadium Casino files an appeal to the PA Supreme Court
- February 2023: Commonwealth Court rules Stadium Casino’s arguments warrant further review
- March 2023: Both the PGCB and Stadium Casino filed stay-in appeals
- April 2023: PA judge denied both parties’ stay requests
- September 2023: PA Supreme Court begins hearing appeals
- January 2024: Stadium Casino files more legal documents
- July 2024: PA Supreme Court rules in favor of SC Gaming, PGCB
Barring anything unforeseen, Bally’s Nittany Casino will be the state’s 18th property, and fifth mini-casino, joining the following:
- Live! Casino Pittsburgh
- Hollywood Casino York
- Hollywood Casino Morgantown
- Parx Shippensburg
How Nittany Casino can help Bally’s online product in PA
Having both a retail and online presence can certainly help the Bally’s online casino in Pennsylvania. When construction on the land-based property is completed, Bally’s is going to have an entirely new customer base to appeal to.
It’s possible that casino-goers will want to try the online platform after visiting the property. Bally’s will be able to obtain customers’ information and start a rewards program. Here are the following properties that also have its own PA online casinos:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia: Caesars Palace
- Parx Casino: betPARX
- Live! Casino Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: PlayLive!
- Hollywood Casino: Hollywood
- Mohegan Pennsylvania: Mohegan Sun
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: BetRivers
- Wind Creek Casino: Wind Creek
Bally’s is going to be the next one on the list. With an online casino product that’s been consistently improving over recent months, it’s possible the brand can take another step forward.
