Penn National gives sneak peek into Morgantown casino
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The opening date has yet to be announced, but Penn National Gaming Inc. is working hard to get the Hollywood Casino Morgantown open by the end of the year.
Construction on the interior of the Category 4 casino in Caernarvon Township was in full swing on Friday morning, as the Wyomissing-based gaming company gave a Reading Eagle reporter a tour of the worksite. Workers from Norwood Construction, Malvern, Chester County, were busy installing flooring and giant TV screens, among other things, as the crisp fall air made for a pleasant workday.
Jeff Morris, vice president, public affairs and government relations for Penn National, said the company is looking forward to having a showcase facility in its home community of Berks County. After the project was approved in 2019 and started, construction was delayed several months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is now expected to open by the end of the year and create 375 jobs.
“We have 43 destinations across the country and to finally have one in Berks is exciting,” said Morris, who gave the tour along with Marc Guastella, the incoming general manager, Michael Carroll, Penn National’s vice president of design and construction, and Mandy Ladner, the casino’s director of human resources.
The $111 million facility near the intersection of Route 10, Interstate 176 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike is being built on a 36-acre plot of land that was originally slated to have a shopping center.
The 81,425-square-foot building will have 750 slot machines and 30 table games plus room for 10 more table games, which is the limit allowed for a Category 4 license.
Other features include a Barstool Sportsbook, an Asian restaurant and another restaurant, whose brand has yet to be announced.
The Barstool Sportsbook will have an old-school stadium theme with three eye-catching features besides an area where customers can wager on their favorite teams. Four jumbotrons are being installed above the bar area that will show the top sporting events. Fans can watch the events while sitting on high school-style bleachers (that can be pushed back into the wall).
The sportsbook will seat between 150-175. Those needing some air can go outside and enjoy a patio area with high top tables and a fire pit.
Guastella said outdoor access within a casino is unique, as all amenities are normally contained inside the structure.
The other two restaurants will be grab-and-go. Additional seating for about 100 more diners will be in the back by another bar.
An area for smokers to play is being created off the main casino floor and will feature 160 slot machines. The room has windows on three sides that will remain open year round for air circulation. Heaters in the ceiling will keep customers warm during the winter.
“We’ve used this in Ohio and it has been very successful,” Guastella said.
Another feature will be Penn National’s new “3C” technology, which allows customers to have a cardless, cashless and contactless experience that is already being used at Hollywood Casinos in Pennsylvania.
“Everyone is using their phones these days, so this is a great one-stop shop,” Morris said.
Speaking of technology, the casino has already found a digital sportsbook partner in MGM. BetMGM was given permission to enter Pennsylvania last fall and unveiled its partnership with Hollywood Casino Morgantown in December after Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approval.
Recruiting workers
Penn National is still looking for workers for the new casino.
The company recently opened a career center located at the Holiday Inn Morgantown, 6170 Morgantown Road. In addition, the company said it will be hosting a number of Table Games Dealer School Open House hiring events at the career center.
Full and part-time opportunities are available, and same-day employment offers will be made to qualified applicants. A table games dealer school will be offered and is free of charge for those who accept an employment offer. Penn National will also help new dealers obtain licensing from the Gaming Control Board.
Positions are also available in casino operations, food and beverage, security and surveillance, human resources, marketing and more, with competitive pay, benefits and up to $1,500 in sign-on bonuses for new team members. Hired workers will also be entered into a drawing to win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Interested candidates can learn more or apply in person at the career center or online at https://www.pngaming.com/careers
