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Happy Valley Casino is inviting the public to get an early look inside its new gaming facility later this month, while also supporting two local nonprofits.
The State College casino announced it will host “Charitable Giving Nights” on April 24 and 25 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering guests a chance to experience the property ahead of its official opening. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed to PlayPennsylvania that these two days will serve as test days, or a soft opening, for the property.
According to the announcement, all proceeds generated during the two-day event will be donated to the State College Food Bank and the YMCA of Centre County.
Casino will be fully functioning on test nights
The events will function as pre-opening test nights, a common step for new properties as they prepare for full operations. During this period, the property will be open and operating as a “fully functioning casino,” though staff will still be undergoing training.
Guests who attend will be among the first members of the public to step onto the gaming floor, with slot machines and other offerings available as the casino works through final operational preparations.
PGCB Communications Doug Harbach told PlayPennsylvania on Thursday that the board will be monitoring a few of the following operations:
- Slot machines operable on the floor that also communicate with the state central control computer system
- All surveillance is operational
- Staff adheres to processes needed to handle money
- Adequate staffing in all area of the casino
- Corrected calculation of revenue at the end of each gaming day
Soft openings and test nights are standard practice for Pennsylvania casinos, allowing operators to meet regulatory requirements while giving staff hands-on experience in a live environment before welcoming full-scale public traffic.
Proceeds to benefit local organizations
The charitable component is a notable aspect of the soft opening process. By directing proceeds to local organizations, Happy Valley Casino is positioning the event as both a systems test and a community-focused initiative ahead of launch.
The State College Food Bank provides assistance to residents facing food insecurity, while the YMCA of Centre County offers youth programs, fitness services, and community outreach across the region. Contributions from the event are expected to support ongoing programming and services for both organizations.
Some promotions restricted during test period
The casino also noted that certain promotions will not be available during the test period. Specifically, any free slot play earned through the property’s “Countdown to Opening” promotion cannot be redeemed during the charitable play days and will instead be valid once the venue officially opens.
Happy Valley Casino has been preparing for its debut in the State College market, a region that has not previously hosted a full casino property. The upcoming charitable nights represent one of the final steps before the casino’s official launch, which is expected shortly after.
The property plans to launch with 600 slot machines and 30 table games, with expectations for future expansion.
