Share 
Caesars Entertainment shareholders have approved the company’s proposed $17.6 billion acquisition by Fertitta Entertainment. If the deal closes, it would bring Caesars’ Pennsylvania casino and online gambling operations under Fertitta’s control.
Shareholders voted Sept. 22, with 133.3 million shares in favor of the merger and 4.3 million against it. Caesars reported the results Sept. 23. Regulatory approvals and other closing conditions remain.
What the deal covers in Pennsylvania
Caesars operates Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester. The property offers slots, table games, sports betting, and live harness racing. Fertitta’s proposed acquisition of Caesars includes its operation of Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania connection extends beyond the casino floor. Harrah’s Philadelphia holds the state online gaming certificate associated with Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, Tropicana Casino and WSOP.com. Caesars also offers online sports betting through Caesars Sportsbook.
Fertitta Entertainment’s holdings include Golden Nugget casinos and Landry’s restaurants. Golden Nugget has a casino in Atlantic City, while Landry’s operates restaurant brands across the country. The proposed acquisition would bring those businesses and Caesars under the same corporate ownership.
In their May announcement, the companies said they intended to connect the combined business through Caesars Rewards.
They projected a network of 60 casino resorts and gaming facilities and more than 600 Fertitta Entertainment outlets, including restaurants and entertainment venues. They did not announce specific new benefits or a rollout date for Pennsylvania members.
Regulatory approvals still needed
The approximately $17.6 billion transaction value includes Fertitta’s assumption of roughly $11.9 billion in Caesars debt.
Eligible Caesars shareholders would receive $31 per share in cash if the acquisition closes. If completed, the deal would also take Caesars private and end its Nasdaq listing.
The September vote satisfies the shareholder approval requirement. Fertitta must still secure applicable regulatory approvals and meet the other conditions of the deal before it can take control. Pennsylvania gambling regulators review changes in control of casino licensees, making that process relevant to Harrah’s Philadelphia.
The companies have not provided a closing date in the shareholder vote filing. Shareholder approval therefore does not tell customers when the proposed change in ownership might take effect.
Caesars and Fertitta have said Caesars’ corporate leaders and property-level management are expected to remain in their roles after the acquisition. They have not announced a detailed plan for Harrah’s Philadelphia or its Pennsylvania online products.
What Pennsylvania customers should expect now
Caesars continues to operate Harrah’s Philadelphia while the acquisition is pending. The company has announced no changes to the casino’s games, sportsbook, or racing operations following the shareholder vote.
Pennsylvania online players have not been told to move accounts or switch apps. Caesars has announced no changes to its online games, sportsbook, or player accounts in connection with the vote.
Caesars Rewards members have a longer-term reason to follow the acquisition. The companies say the combined business would offer access to more destinations, including Fertitta’s restaurants, through the loyalty network. They have not explained how Pennsylvania members would earn or redeem rewards at those businesses.
The next developments to watch are regulatory approvals and a completed sale. For now, the key unanswered questions are when regulators might approve the sale and what, if anything, Caesars would change for Pennsylvania customers afterward.
