After nearly four years embroiled in legal and bureaucratic complexities, the planned mini-casino at Centre County’s Nittany Mall in Pennsylvania has finally received the green light for construction. This development follows the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s unanimous decision earlier this week, which favored the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Penn State alum Ira Lubert, alongside the company set to construct the Nittany Mall Casino.
Unanimous court decision ends legal battle:
The resolution of this protracted legal saga came with the Supreme Court’s ruling, which effectively dismissed the ongoing legal challenges posed by Stadium Casino RE, a competing bidder. This decision has paved the way for Lubert to advance his plans without the threat of further legal disputes. Although Lubert has not publicly committed to a construction start date, forfeiting his $10 million casino license bid seems unlikely, as indicated by statements from gaming control board officials.
The court’s decision was communicated to College Township officials by the future general manager/CEO of the casino, who, while not providing a specific updated timeline, confirmed that construction was expected to take about 12 months from commencement. This aligns with prior public estimates. Mike Bloom, assistant township manager, welcomed the decision, noting the potential for the casino to stabilize the Nittany Mall, revitalize the local area, and generate new employment opportunities.
In a statement, Doug Harbach, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing the benefits of moving forward. “We are pleased that this project can move forward and begin to generate tax dollars and provide employment in the future,” he said, as Center Daily Times reports, underscoring the anticipated positive economic impact on the community.
Detailed casino features and community engagement:
The upcoming mini-casino, which will operate 24/7 as a non-smoking facility, is set to house up to 750 slot machines, 30 table games, a sports betting area, a restaurant, and a bar. These facilities are expected to significantly enhance local economic activity. Moreover, the host municipality and county will benefit financially from the casino’s operations, with College Township projected to receive approximately $1.6 million in the first year from gaming revenues.
The journey to this point has included multiple public hearings, legal appeals, and considerable patience from all parties involved. With the legal hurdles now cleared, the community anticipates not only the economic benefits but also the broader social revitalization that the Nittany Mall Casino promises to bring.
Further details regarding the casino’s future plans and specific timelines are expected to be announced soon, providing more clarity to the residents and stakeholders eagerly awaiting the project’s progression.