Owners of Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe County submitted on Friday an application to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to build and operate a mini-casino in Big Beaver, Beaver County, local news outlet the Times Online reported earlier today.
Officials for the existing casino bought this past August 100 acres of barren land just off Interstate 376 where they plan to construct the new mini-casino. Developers confirmed on Friday that they have submitted the official application to the state’s gambling regulator and with that, the process for final approval has begun. Mount Airy owners expected to break ground on their new property in early 2019.
Mount Airy Pittsburgh won in February a mini-casino license after making a bid of $21,888,888.88. Under the terms of its license, it will have to build a gambling venue with 750 slot machines and 30 table games. The construction of several mini-casinos across Pennsylvania comes as part of a sweeping gambling reform that the state Legislature approved last fall. The reform also includes the legalization of online gambling and sports betting.
Commenting on the latest events, Vincent Jordan, Vice President for Marketing and Gaming Operations for Mount Airy, told local media that they were excited to have begun the formal process that would allow them to open the mini-casino as early as late 2019. Mr. Jordan further noted that while due diligence is underway, they are enthusiastic to be working with the host community on job training and other related partnerships.
What’s Next for the Mini-Casino Project
Mount Airy has said that the initial phase will create 300 construction jobs and between 400 and 500 permanent full-time jobs once it becomes operational. The second phase is estimated to generate an additional 200 to 300 jobs once completed and an undetermined number of temporary jobs during construction.
Mount Airy officials have said that they will be in Beaver County the coming week to start discussions with workforce development and training partners.
As for the application, the gaming board has explained that it will probably take several weeks before it becomes available for public review. The gambling regulator will first have to review it for completeness and redact any confidential pieces of information. A public hearing is to be held in Big Beaver, but gaming board officials have said that the date and exact location are yet to be determined and announced.
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The post Mount Airy Submits Official Application for Beaver County Mini-Casino appeared first on Casino News Daily.
