New Casino Morgantown Pa

Locals are concerned about the construction of a new casino property worth $111 million in Berks County. Known as NIMBYs in the United Kingdom and as “much bother” if you are a company looking to expand real-estate, the locals of Pennsylvania are pushing back against an expensive Penn National Gaming Inc. casino project.

Details of the Hollywood Casino Morgantown site. The location of the proposed casino is about 15 miles southeast of the initial location, originally announced as West Cocalico. The proposed casino will be located on a vacant site near where the Pennsylvania I-76 Turnpike meets I-176 and the Morgantown Express. Developed by Penn National Gaming, Inc., the new Hollywood Casino Morgantown will be located in Caernarvon Township on the border of Berks and Lancaster counties, adjacent to the Morgantown interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Penn National is planning on a $111 million project, namely the Hollywood Casino in Morgantown, but so far nothing suggests success. The Morgantown casino is part of Penn’s new strategy to introduce mini casinos across the US.

Gaming at Hollywood Casino Morgantown According to the lastest information, Hollywood Casino Morgantown's new 89,500 square foot facility will open with 750 slot machines, a sports book, and 30 table games, with the possiblity of adding 10 more after the first year of operation. The State of Pennsylvania (PA) is located in the Northeast of the United-States between New Jersey and Ohio. The “Keystone State” has a population of nearly 13 million. Its official capital is Harrisburg but its most populous city is Philadelphia. There are 12 casinos in activity within the territory of PA. Penn National expects to open the mini-casino in late 2020 along Morgantown Road (Route 10) off the Morgantown turnpike exit. The business will create 250 permanent jobs and 272 construction jobs.

On March 4, Penn National attended a public hearing hosted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to discuss the implementation of the casino property with locals at the Caernarvon Township municipal hall.

Some 100-odd residents attended the hearing with quite a few of the attendees stating outright that they wouldn’t support the project. Some were wearing badges with “CasiNO!” written on them, a visible token of their opposition. Locals have not been idly protesting the bill either. They have taken action.

At the meeting, residents offered a petition with over 1,000 signatures of people who opposed the building of the new casino in the Morgantown area. The petition simply stated that allowing a casino property in the area would be “uncharacteristic” of the societal norms in this part of the country.

The PGCB Caught Off Guard

Originally, the PGCB was aware of local sentiments that didn’t favor the project. However, the organized movement on Monday had clearly caught the Commission off guard, spokesperson Richard McGarvey said.

Still, the PGCB has only relied on the written account that has been submitted to it, with the majority of opinions stating that they were in favor of the property to be. Some ventured to say that that was a “once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity” for the community and it must not be missed out on.

Union workers welcomed the casino as it would provide the area with both construction jobs as well long-term employment for casino staff. The property would be built at a place that has been disused for years, giving local business a financial stimulus as well.

The construction process alone should bring around 250 jobs and the casino can be ready by 2020, Penn National expects. After completion, another 250 jobs will be available to locals who will staff the casino. The long-term prospects for Berks will be tangible, estimate some locals.

Understandably, there has been a backlash in so far gambling addiction and crime are involved, with locals fearing that gambling would invite the sort of behavior the community has been trying to steer clear of.

Further talks would be necessary to determine whether Penn National can continue with the projects in Berks.

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WYOMISSING, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Penn National Gaming, Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) (“Penn National” or the “Company”) announced today that in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s call for a statewide shutdown of all non-essential business activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it will be suspending construction on its planned Hollywood Casino Morgantown and Hollywood Casino York Category 4 facilities in Pennsylvania, effective immediately.

Morgantown Pa Google Maps

“We fully support the Governor’s effort to try to stem the tide of this unprecedented public health threat,” said Jay Snowden, President and CEO of Penn National Gaming. “We also believe it’s prudent to revisit any and all capital expenditure commitments in order to help preserve liquidity in light of the impact of COVID-19 on our business.”

The $111 million Hollywood Casino Morgantown was expected to open in November of this year and the $120 million Hollywood Casino York at the York Galleria Mall was anticipated to open by year end. By law, Category 4 “mini casinos” are authorized to operate up to 750 slot machines and 40 table games.

“We look forward to continuing to consult with the Governor’s office, as well as local, state and federal health authorities to determine when construction might resume,” said Mr. Snowden. “In the meantime, we appreciate the patience, understanding and support of our community leaders in Morgantown and York, as well as our local construction teams.”

About Penn National Gaming

New Casino In Morgantown Pa

Penn National Gaming owns, operates or has ownership interests in 41 gaming and racing properties in 19 jurisdictions and video gaming terminal operations with a focus on slot machine entertainment. We also offer live sports betting at our properties in Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In total, Penn National’s properties feature approximately 50,000 gaming machines, 1,300 table games and 8,800 hotel rooms. In addition, the Company operates an interactive gaming division through its subsidiary, Penn Interactive Ventures, LLC, which recently launched iGaming in Pennsylvania and, through strategic partnerships, operates online sports betting in Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Company also has a leading customer loyalty program, mychoice, with over five million active customers.

Forward-looking Statements

Hollywood Casino In Morgantown Pa

All statements included in this press release, other than historical information or statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding COVID-19, the length of the construction delay for Penn National’s satellite casinos in Pennsylvania and the impact of these or other related events on Penn National are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could significantly affect the Company’s future financial results and business. Accordingly, Penn National cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. For more information on the potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results and business, review the Company’s filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur.