Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment continues its quest towards claiming the best slice of the pie when it comes to Pennsylvania’s gaming expansion. The casino developer and operator which oversees operation of Parx Casino and Racetrack filed its application making clear the exact location which is going to welcome the new venue – Shippensburg, Cumberland County.
This filing of documents puts an end to a period of consideration which witnessed several major changes in the county considered, as the developer probed the public opinion in Carlisle Borough and South Middleton Township in Cumberland County.
The final decision was to bring a satellite casino venue to the western part of the county, as the region appeared providing the most favorable conditions for future development. The fact that alcohol is sold freely in this Township might have drawn the developer to it.
Mini-Casino Could Soon Benefit the Community
The proposed casino venue location is aiming to utilize the potential of Shippensburg University, which could attract quite the crowd to the brand new casino facility. The construction site will be occupying a 10-acre patch of land near Interstate 81. Exit 29 is projected to provide a constant flow of customers to the facility as well as make transportation to and fro hassle-free. More than 300,000 people will have the chance to enjoy its offerings, a possibility which has not been underestimated by the developer.
The venue itself could provide about 250 people with full-time jobs. Now the only thing left for the casino developer is to be given green light for future operation by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. If this happens in a timely manner, construction could commence bringing an official launch of the venue in 2020. In addition to this, members of the community will also have the opportunity to voice their opinion on the subject and give their advice or express concerns such operation have raised in them.
Breaking: South Middleton supervisors said no to @parxcasino tonight. Two strikes for the casino company that's sunk $8 mill into this license. They will now likely seek a municipal partner further down I-81… Shippensburg Township left the door open last year. 1/2
— Charles Thompson (@ChasThompson1) August 10, 2018
Among the main factors which would determine future operation is the casino operator’s potential to maintain a superb level of performance in the upcoming years and reach the originally projected revenue rates. The previous two locations considered for casino development were neighboring ones but proved not welcoming enough. Third time’s the charm in this situation and the Shippensburg might soon see its premium satellite casino venue in operation.
Projected Flow of Patrons from Maryland
According to the initial information issued regarding future development, there will be some 475 slot machines available on site in addition to 40 table games. Through its general location, Greenwood Gaming’s new development is set to appear tempting to both local casino patrons and Franklin County ones. Moreover, players from Hagerstown, Maryland can also make their way to the new satellite casino. A 40-minute drive on the I-81 is all they have to do.
License for operation costs Greenwood Gaming some $2.5 million and his application comes at an interesting time for the developer. Its joint venture with The Cordish Company striving to bring to life their plans for a casino resort in South Philadelphia allegedly could come to an end. Stadium Casino, LLC, as the partnership is called indicated desire to sell the license for $600-million Live! Hotel and Casino to another casino developer.
The package deal could include the mandatory Category 2 license for the South Philly operation, a Category 4 license which cost Stadium Casino, LLC some $40,100,005, as well as an iGaming license estimated to $10 million. The only field which did not feature an application of Stadium Casino was the sports betting one, which would have resulted in an additional $10 million for a wagering permit.
