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Happy Valley Casino became the 18th gambling property to open in Pennsylvania, and in the first full month of operation in May, it held its own.
The venue compiled $3.6 million in slots and table games revenue. The majority of the revenue came from slots at $3.1 million, while tables contributed $482,333.
The numbers come in rather favorably in comparison to other Pennsylvania mini-casinos that have opened recently.
Beating the most recent opening
Parx Shippensburg was the most recent Category 4 mini-casino to open. Its first full month came in February 2023, where it produced $3.2 million in slots and table games revenue.
For Parx, similar to Happy Valley, the majority of its revenue came from slots, recording just more than $3 million. Table games revenue came in at $193,235. It should be noted that Parx opened with only 10 table games compared to Happy Valley’s 30.
There are some caveats to the numbers, however. In 2023, February only had 28 days. Happy Valley Casino opened in a month having 31 days, which lends itself to a bit of an advantage.
It’s also worth noting that Parx Shippensburg operates with 500 slot machines, compared to Happy Valley’s 600 slots, giving the newer property more opportunities to generate revenue.
Happy Valley Casino, located minutes from Penn State’s campus, opened during graduation ceremonies, which likely boosted tourism from families outside the area celebrating.
Comparing to other openings
In terms of other mini-casino openings, Happy Valley’s revenue falls in the middle of what other properties did in their first full month of operation for slots and table games revenue:
- Hollywood Casino York (Sept. 2021): $6.8 million
- Hollywood Casino Morgantown (Jan. 2022): $4.6 million
- Happy Valley Casino (May 2026): $3.6 million
- Parx Shippensburg (Feb. 2023): $3.2 million
- Live! Casino Pittsburgh (Dec. 2020): $2 million
Live! Casino Pittsburgh has the biggest qualifier because it opened at the height of the pandemic with mask restrictions. However, Hollywood Casino York posted an impressive opening considering the state and country was still in the midst of the pandemic.
What comes next
Happy Valley Casino won’t be posting revenue figures to the likes of Parx Bensalem, Wind Creek Bethlehem, and other Category 1 and 2 Pennsylvania retail casinos. However, it certainly held its own in its first month of operation.
Happy Valley Casino officially opened below the maximum amount of 750 slot machines a Category 4 mini-casino can offer.
The property has said it plans on expanding to that 750 mark, which would result in more revenue. However, it will have to provide a viable reason to the PGCB for any increase.
It has also been reported that the property’s general manager, Eric Pearson, has already departed. Change in leadership that early into a new opening can throw a wrench into the short-term future.
Should the property weather the early executive change, it’s in a good spot to continue to move forward as a viable gambling venue in the Keystone State.
