All Approved: Happy Valley Casino Moves Toward April Opening

A major step toward the launch of Happy Valley Casino arrived this week after state regulators granted operating certificates that cover slot machines and table games. With that milestone in place, the development team rolled out new details that preview what visitors can expect when the Nittany Mall venue opens in April.

Good to Know

• Pennsylvania regulators authorized 600 slot machines and approved table game operations
• Happy Valley Casino aims to open in April inside a 94,000-square-foot space
• More than 250 applicants have joined the free Dealer School launching in December

During a public hearing in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted unanimously to authorize 600 slot machines and approved a separate certificate for table games. The property still needs to file its request for the slot license in December, though general manager Eric Pearson said construction remains on schedule, with completion targeted for the end of March.

The casino sits inside the former Macy’s anchor space and will operate around the clock as a smoke-free, 94,000-square-foot venue. Pearson and attorney Michael Fabius explained that the layout features two dining concepts, a central bar, and room for phased gaming expansion as the market grows.

Aces Social will serve as the sit-down restaurant. Pearson described it as sports themed but not a typical sports bar. “It’s a pretty broad menu,” he said. Players looking for fast service will have Lucky Break Cafe, which offers pizza, burgers, sandwiches, ice cream, and coffee. Pearson said:

“When a player gets hungry, they have a place to go real quick to get something good to eat and get back to playing their games.”

The opening inventory of 600 slot machines reflects what Pearson called a curated, region-focused floor that matches local preferences. He said:

“This initial order is our best guess. It’s a very educated guess; we’ve been doing this a long time.”

Low-denomination slots will dominate the selection, which aligns with broader industry patterns. The casino will debut 30 table games, approved after payment of a 2.5-million-dollar authorization fee. Options at launch include blackjack, roulette, craps, midi baccarat, and several poker-style table games.

Pearson explained that training considerations shaped the mix because many hires will be brand new to table games:

“We understand that we’re going to be training them and sort of growing our own, so to speak.”

To prepare the workforce, Happy Valley Casino will run a free, 12-week Dealer School beginning in December and January. More than 250 applicants have already signed up, with trainees paid 15 dollars an hour during instruction. Once the property opens, the employment target sits at roughly 300 positions, supported by security and surveillance teams across all gaming areas.

The broader project is led by SC Gaming with backing from investor Ira Lubert. It advanced last year when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed a challenge from a competing bidder. Saratoga Casino Holdings has since stepped in as a development and management partner and received conditional approval to assume majority ownership.

College Township has maintained support for the casino plan as part of a wider effort to revitalize the mall. A third-party study delivered to township officials projects annual tax revenue between 1.4 million and 1.6 million dollars once the venue begins operations.

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