7 things to know about the new casino opening soon near Penn State
Happy Valley Casino, Pennsylvania’s 18th casino, will open near Penn State with 600 slots, 30 table games, two restaurants, and smoke-free, tech-forward amenities.Summary
Happy Valley Casino, located in a former Macy’s at Nittany Mall near Penn State University, is set to become Pennsylvania’s 18th casino. After nearly six years since receiving approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and nine years of planning, the casino will initially open for testing days alongside Penn State’s Blue-White game before fully opening for business. It employs about 380 people and will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m., with last entry at 2 a.m.
The casino will feature 600 slot machines (with capacity for up to 750) and 30 table games, including Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps, with eligibility to expand after one year. Table games will have a $5 minimum during testing, but Blackjack minimums are expected to rise above $15 long-term. A high-limit room offers 40 slots and four table games. There is no poker room, sports wagering, or iGaming at launch, though these are possible future additions.
Amenities include two restaurants—Aces Social, a sports-themed sit-down venue with bar-top slots, and Lucky Break Café, a 24-hour quick-service outlet. The property is fully smoke-free, one of only three such casinos in Pennsylvania. Players can order drinks directly from slot machines after scanning their player’s club card, a feature believed to be first in the state. The casino also provides self-service Pepsi, coffee, and tea stations, extensive game-rule signage and brochures, and dealer-friendly features such as automated shufflers and color-coded roulette lighting to support first-time staff and patrons.
(Source：Mechanicsburg Patriot News )