Cordish Cos. Launches Pennsylvania’s First Mini-Casino

The Cordish Companies held Tuesday a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the soft-opening of the $150-million Live! Casino Pittsburgh, the first of two Live!-branded casinos the real estate developer and casino operator plans to launch in Pennsylvania.

The Tuesday ceremony marked the new casino’s soft opening. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for November 24, 2020 when the property will swing its doors open to the general public.

Pennsylvania’s First Mini-Casino Primed for November 24 Launch

Live! Casino Pittsburgh occupies the former Bon-Ton department store at Westmoreland Mall in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

The new casino is located just about 30 miles from Pittsburgh. It features 750 slot machines and 30 table games over 100,000 square feet of space. It is also offers a FanDuel-branded sportsbook as part of a partnership between The Cordish Companies and the sports betting operator.

Non-gambling facilities at the casino complex include several dining outlets and various entertainment options such as live music and non-casino games.

The new casino occupies two levels. The gaming floor is located on the ground level and only admits guests 21 and over. The second level is available to guests of all ages.

Commenting to adding a new property to the Live! brand, Jon Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies, said that “Live! Casino Pittsburgh is a world-class destination that will set the gold standard for gaming, dining, and entertainment in the region.”

Economic Impact

Live! Casino Pittsburgh is expected to generate $188 million in annual economic impact and an additional $148 million in economic impact from construction. The property is also projected to deliver $47.5 million in tax revenues. It is expected to create more than 500 permanent jobs for local and regional residents when fully operational.

Incoming State Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward said that “to be creating hundreds of new permanent, well-paying jobs at this particular point in time is a real testament to the value this project is bringing to our region.”

Live! Casino Pittsburgh marks the Live! brand’s Pennsylvania debut. The facility is the first mini-casino to open doors in the state after Gov. Tom Wolf approved in 2017 a massive expansion of Pennsylvania’s casino industry. The sweeping reform included the development of up to 10 satellite mini-casinos in different parts of the state. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has so far issued five licenses for mini-casinos.

Aside from Live! Casino Pittsburgh, The Cordish Companies is also gearing up preparations for the opening of its Live! Casino Philadelphia full-blown casino complex, which is located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Stadium District and is set to open doors in early 2021. The property will be the city’s second full-fledged casino, putting an end to Rivers Casino Philadelphia’s long-time monopoly in the local market.

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