On Wednesday, June 12, Penn National Gaming Inc. undertook one of the very last steps in winning the approval of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for its plans to construct and operate a satellite casino in Berks County. During the hearing, the company showcased detailed plans for the proposed Hollywood Casinos Morgantown.
The company’s plans have already won unanimous support from the township supervisors despite opposition from community members. These township supervisors are optimistic that the gaming facility which will host 30 table games and 750 slot machines, as well as bars, a restaurant, a food court, and an entertainment lounge, will bring a lot of positive developments to the region. According to the company’s officials, Penn National is ready to deliver on the expectations regarding the impact the satellite casino will have on both the local and state economy as well as its effects on traffic and the community.
Pa. Gaming Control Boards in Favor of the Mini-Casino
The members of the Keystone State’s gaming control board voted 7-0 to grant a license to the Hollywood Casino Morgantown thus effectively setting in motion the next step for the casino which will be built in Caernarvon Township. Hollywood Casino Morgantown is set to officially open its doors in 2020 and considering the plans that were detailed by Penn National, there is quite a lot to look forward to.
As mentioned earlier, the mini casino will host 30 tables games and a whopping 750 slot machines – it will be located on a 36-acre piece of land near the intersection of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 176. The facility will cover a total of 81,425 square feet and will include a bunch of other entertainment facilities.
There are reportedly also plans for a sports and race book as well as a signature restaurant but the company is yet to disclose any tangible information on these. The sports betting and horse race betting facilities are possible since the state already approved sports betting which has been growing quite rapidly.
What About Community Concerns?
There were a few resident concerns with regards to crime and gambling addiction. The gaming control responded to these concerns by citing a study by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that the revealed that there was no significant increase in crime rates or the attendance at Gamble Anonymous meetings in areas that surrounded casinos.
The board further addressed the issue of traffic by clarifying that there won’t be any burden during rush hour as most casinos’ peak time “is outside of typical commuter times.”
