Parx Casino Seeks New Satellite Casino With Sportsbook

• Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment launched sports betting Jan. 2019.
• The Parx Casino owners plan to open a new “mini-casino” in Shippensburg by 2020.
• The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is also considering a five-year renewal of Parx’s casino license.

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The parent company of the Philadelphia-based Parx Casino recently opened public discussion on their plans to open a new satellite casino and sportsbook.

On Monday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) hosted a meeting at the Shippensburg University Conference Center to mull over Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment’s proposal for their satellite casino in the township.

Residents of the college town did not opt-out of hosting Category 4 gambling establishments, but there is still an approval process through the PCBG.

What Exactly Is A Cat 4 Satellite Casino?

In 2017, Governor Tom Wolf approved a large gambling expansion package that included 10 satellite casino licenses for existing operators. Category 4 properties can have up to 750 slot machines, 40 gaming tables, and also offers legal Pennsylvania sports betting.

In comparison, Title 4 permits traditional casino licensees to have up to 5,000 slot machines, with Parx housing 3,500.

These “mini-casinos” must also be a reasonable distance from its flagship facility in order to keep the market competitive amongst operators. The new location in Shippensburg is close to 150 miles from Parx in Bensalem.

Greenwood’s Plans In Shippensburg

Greenwood partook in a competitive bidding process, securing the fourth available license in February 2018. Sands Bethlehem Casino originally bid $9.9mil for the license, however, their planned location conflicted with another proposal.

Greenwood suggested a 15-mile plot of land near Exit 29 on I-81 between Carlisle and Chambersburg, and was able to secure the license from the PCBG for $8.9mil.

During the hearing, attendees discussed the proposal for the 65,000-square-foot venue that would house 40 tables, 475 slot machines, a full-scale sportsbook, and dining options.

The operator also told legislators that the new venue is expected to bring in nearly $45mil in gross gaming revenue annually, and have a positive economic impact on the local community. Their 150-page licensing application outlined the following:

“The casino will generate 160 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs), and 200 full-time and part-time jobs at the site… GWC will also have a positive impact on job creation and the economy through the purchase of various goods and services that will be needed during the construction and operation of the casino.”

Per the application, the average annual salary will be $42,000 with benefits totaling upwards of $10,000. In total, the economic benefit to the area is estimated at $103 million.

Greenwood hopes to launch the new legal sports betting and gaming facility sometime in 2020.

News tags: Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment | Parx Casino | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania sports betting