Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Two More Mini-Casinos Get Public Hearings On The Calendar

Written By Cal Setar on October 26, 2018 - Last Updated on March 15, 2021
row of bugles

It’s mini-casino madness, and everyone of legal gambling age in Pennsylvania is invited.

Hollywood Casino York gets its day in the spotlight on Nov. 1, when locals can chime in at a hearing regarding the proposed property.

Now two more projects have mini-casino hearings on the books for December.

Do you want to chime in yay or nay on a new casino property coming to your neck of the woods?

Here’s your chance

Mount Airy Pittsburgh meeting Dec. 4

The PGCB announced that it would be holding a hearing on Dec. 4 regarding a Big Beaver mini-casino project from Mount Airy Casino Resort.

Officials from Mount Airy Casino Resort filed plans with the PGCB in mid-October for the project, which is tentatively set to be called Mount Airy Pittsburgh.

The proposed project will turn 100 acres of land near I-376 into a multi-million dollar mini-casino and entertainment complex. Mini-casinos, of course, have come about as part of the Pennsylvania gambling expansion bill. They’re capable of housing up to 750 slot machines and 30 table games.

Mount Airy used a winning bid of $21,888,888.88 to acquire the license in February.

The purpose of next month’s hearing is to collect public input from township residents on the proposed casino. Per the PGCB press release:

“The purpose of the hearing which, per provisions of the Gaming Act must be held within the local municipality in which the proposed casino would be located, is to both provide a forum for individuals to voice their support or opposition to the proposed casino and to permit those persons with an interest in the applicant’s proposal to learn more about the project.”

The hearing will be held at Big Beaver Borough Fire Station #14.

PGCB has also begun collecting requests from township residents, business owners, and other stakeholders who wish to enter testimony of their own. The deadline to do so is Dec. 3.

A separate hearing will be held in Harrisburg allowing Mount Airy representatives to offer oral arguments on the project’s behalf.

Stadium Casino’s Westmoreland County project

Another mini-casino project, another public hearing.

This time, the application comes from the yet-to-be-built Stadium Casino project, co-owned by Cordish and Greenwood Gaming (Parx), and the site of the potential mini-casino is Westmoreland Mall.

The proposed project actually comes with added levels of intrigue, due to persistent questions of Stadium’s long-term future.

Reports popped up in mid-October suggesting that maybe Stadium, formerly known as Philly Live!, was dead on arrival.

Specifically, it was reported that ownership may be seeking to sell their gaming license, which of course includes their mini-casino license.

Stadium spent $40.1 million to lock down a spot in Westmoreland Mall.

Despite the breathless reports and talk of an early and entirely unexpected fold, it seems the Stadium mini-casino project will be moving forward—maybe. The PGCB announced this week that it would also be holding a hearing seeking public input on the proposed Westmoreland parlor.

The hearing will be on Dec. 5 at the Hempfield Township Municipal Building.

But does this mean that Stadium won’t sell? The hearing may be a glimpse behind the curtain at just what Cordish and Greenwood have in mind.

Make your voice heard

If you’re unable to attend either public hearing, you may also submit written testimony. Mailed comments must be postmarked no later than Dec. 3, 2018, and mailed to:

PA Gaming Control Board
P.O. Box 69060
Harrisburg, PA 17106
Attention: Board Clerk

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