PA's First Mini-Casino Could Be Evidence The Concept Will Succeed
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PA's first mini-casino opened in November at Westmoreland Mall. It generated $45.1 million in gaming revenue in first four months. The second one is due to open in two weeks. Sean Sullivan is the general manager of Live! Pittsburgh. He has worked in executive capacities at numerous casinos, including Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Live!' Pittsburgh is on pace to make nearly $100 million this year.
Pennsylvania legalized online casinos, sports betting, and truck stop VGTs in 2017. The market determined only five mini-casinos are viable in the state. Live! Pittsburgh is the first to open, using repurposed Bon-Ton department store space at the mall near Greensburg. Hollywood Casino York will open on August 12. Another mini casino, Hollywood Casinos Morgantown and Cumberland County are to be developed. Mini-Casinos’ gaming floor is capped at 750 slot machines and 30 tables, although they can expand to 40 tables after a year of operation.
Live! Pittsburgh's revenue exceeds that of Lady Luck Nemacolin. Ladyluck, the Meadows and Rivers Casino are all within 50 miles of Live! in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The three older casinos have acknowledged the newcomer has had an impact on their own revenue. Statewide, retail gaming revenue was 12.9% less for casinos in operation in 2019 and 2021.
Regional revenue comparisons between this June and June 2019.
The Live! mini-casino in Pennsylvania is a success story. It is contributing to the local food bank, boosting revenue for local government, providing nearly 500 jobs, and creating new entertainment options for the area. The facility has state-of-the-art filtration and health and safety protocols to address COVID concerns. It also has a view of a 45-foot TV wall as part of the venue’s FanDuel retail sportsbook. There are capacity limits, social distancing, mask mandates, restrictions on alcohol service and indoor smoking.
