Operator News
US – Penn National files application for Hollywood Casino Morgantown
By Phil - 31 October 2018
Penn National Gaming has filed an application with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) for Hollywood Casino Morgantown, the company’s second Category 4 satellite gaming facility, to be located on a vacant 36-acre site in Caernarvon Township, Berks County.
The planned facility will be near the intersections of three major roadways: the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76), I-176, and the Morgantown Expressway (Rt. 10).
The development of Hollywood Casino Morgantown represents an overall investment of nearly $111 million, including the slot machines and table games license fees. The approximately 80,000 square foot facility will feature 750 slot machines and 30 tables games, with the ability to accommodate an additional 10 table games. Hollywood Casino Morgantown will also offer a sports and race book, a signature restaurant, an entertainment lounge, and a food court. The facility is expected to generate approximately 250 new local jobs and more than 275 construction jobs. The construction timeline is anticipated to be approximately 18 months following receipt of all requisite approvals, including final licensing by the PGCB.
“While we explored numerous locations for our Category 4 casino in and around Berks County, the site we selected is unparalleled in terms of ease of access to three major arteries,” said Timothy J. Wilmott, Chief Executive Officer for Penn National Gaming. “Hollywood Casino Morgantown is ideally situated to generate new revenues from the more densely populated suburbs to the west of Philadelphia, while further protecting our existing market share at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.”
Penn National was awarded the Commonwealth’s first and fifth Category 4 licenses on 10 January and 4 April 2018, respectively. Category 4 gaming facilities are authorized by law to operate up to 750 slot machines and 40 table games, and tax revenue is dispersed at the state, county and local level. Caernarvon Township will receive two per cent of gross tax revenue on slot machines and one per cent from table games.
“Penn National Gaming has been proud to call not only Pennsylvania, but Berks County, home for over 45 years,” said Wilmott. “We look forward to adding hundreds of new team members right here in our backyard and becoming an economic engine for Caernarvon Township and the greater Berks County business community.”
