Construction of a proposed $120 million mini-casino at the Nittany Mall could begin in the first half of next year, an executive with the company that manages the project said Wednesday.
The update shared during an earnings call by Bally’s Corp. President George Papanier was one of the company’s first public updates in the two weeks since Pennsylvania’s highest court paved the way for the project to advance .
“Obviously, the lawsuits are behind us. We’re now focused on going through the process and obtaining the appropriate approvals with the (Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board). So we’re focused on that,” Papanier said, according to a transcript of the call. “And timing of construction probably won’t be until the first half of 2025 at this point.
“As part of that transaction, obviously, there’s a stage relative to arranging the financing for that. And so now that the court has ruled, we are now going through the whole developmental underwriting process and how we plan for that.”
It was not clear Thursday if Stadium Casino, which lost a bid for the license at a 2020 auction, appealed the state Supreme Court’s ruling. The company had 14 days to ask the justices to reconsider their unanimous decision.
A court spokesperson told the Centre Daily Times on Thursday that “Nothing is on the docket yet, but in theory such an application could still be filed electronically or by an approved type of mail. So too soon to say for sure.”
Mike Bloom, College’s Township’s assistant manager, said Thursday that the township is also waiting to hear if additional appeals will be filed.
If Bally’s timeline holds up, construction would be slated to finish in 2026. The company has said it expects construction at the former Macy’s spot to take about a year. College Township has already approved plans for the project.
Bally’s recently reached a deal to be bought out by its largest shareholder. As part of the deal, Bally’s will be merged with Queen Casino & Entertainment, which operates four casinos in three states.
The planned 24/7 nonsmoking casino in the Nittany Mall is expected to have up to 750 slot machines, 30 table games, a sports betting area, a sports-themed restaurant and bar. It’s expected to employ upward of 400 full-time equivalent positions.
College Township and Centre County are slated to receive 2% of gross revenue from slot machines and 1% of table games. A consultant estimated College Township would likely stand to receive about $1.6 million during the casino’s first year of operation.
Supporters of the casino tout its economic benefits, potential to revitalize the mall and create jobs. Opponents have raised concerns about gambling addictions and placing a potential strain on first responders.
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