If all goes according to plan, Penn National Gaming will be opening a new casino property next month, expanding the options in Pennsylvania sports betting.
The company announced Monday it expects to open its Category 4 Hollywood Casino Morgantown to the public Dec. 22, pending final regulatory approvals. There are four categories for casino licenses within Pennsylvania. They consist of the state’s thoroughbred/harness racetracks (Category 1), standalone casinos (2), resort casinos (3) and satellite/mini-casinos (4).
In addition to retail casinos, the Pennsylvania online casinos market is one of the strongest in the United States. Along with PA, online casinos are legal in New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, West Virginia and Connecticut.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Gets 16th Casino
Hollywood Casino Morgantown is conveniently located at the intersections of three major roadways: Interstate 176, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and the Morgantown Expressway (Route 10). It will represent the Keystone State’s 16th casino and Penn National’s fourth facility.
It joins Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington (outside of Pittsburgh) and Hollywood Casino York, which opened in August.
"The countdown to our grand opening begins today,” Marc Guastella, vice president and general manager for Hollywood Casino Morgantown, said in a news release. “We’re very excited to soon welcome patrons to this beautiful new property, where they’ll be able to experience premier gaming, dining and entertainment.”
The facility is about 80,000 square feet and will feature 750 slot machines and 30 table games, an outdoor gaming terrace and Barstool Sportsbook.
Live teller betting windows, along with self-service betting kiosks for sports and racing, will be located throughout the sportsbook.
In addition to a restaurant at Barstool Sportsbook, Penn National also has partnered with Tony Luke’s to bring a taste of South Philadelphia to Morgantown and Red Lotus Asian Kitchen.
The casino will host two invitation-only test days before opening, with gaming proceeds donated to local charitable organizations that include Honey Brook Food Pantry, the United Way of Berks County, and the Jarrett Yoder Foundation, which serves the families of veterans, active military personnel, police, firefighters and first responders.
“We are thrilled to be supporting these incredible organizations in Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties,” Guastella said. “Penn National is committed to being actively engaged in the community and partnering with worthwhile groups to assist those in need.”
PA Sports Betting Revenue Higher Than Ever
Penn National’s new, brick-and-mortar Barstool Sportsbook in Morgantown will certainly add to the record-breaking numbers the state has enjoyed in recent months with sports betting.
Last week, the Pennsylvania gambling October report showed its sports wagering handle at $776.278 million for October, the single highest total ever for the state, eclipsing $615.29 million in January of this year.
The October handle was an increase of 34.1% over the $578.8 million wagered in September. The October number also was $250.47 million more, a 47.6% increase, than October 2020 ($525.8 million).
Mobile sports betting in October was $714.1 million, up 35.4% from September ($527.4 million), and up 51.2% from October 2020 ($472.2 million). In October, mobile betting was 92.0% of the market.
October gross sports betting revenue was $23.5 million, down 16.7% from September ($28.3 million) and down 36.0% from October 2020 ($36.8 million).
