Penn National Gaming has petitioned the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, as it strives to utilise its second licence permitting the construction of a category four satellite gaming facility within the state.
Penn, who submitted an application for the development of the $120m Hollywood Casino York last month, has now made similar moves as its aims to make headway into its proposed Hollywood Casino Morgantown.
Set to be located on a vacant 36-acre site in Caernarvon Township, Berks County, the planned facility represents an overall investment of almost $111m, inclusive of slots machine and table games licence fees.
Timothy Wilmott, chief executive officer for Penn National Gaming, explained: “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.
“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 details that the almost 80,000 square foot property would encompass 750 slot machines and 30 tables games, with the ability to accommodate an additional ten, as well as setting aside a dedicated space for a sports and race book.
Also featuring a signature restaurant, entertainment lounge and food court, the facility would generate 250 local jobs, in addition to a further 275 during the anticipated 18 month construction, following receipt of all requisite approvals, including final licensing by the PGCB.
Penn was awarded The Keystone State’s first and fifth category four licenses earlier this year, meaning that proposed facilities are able to operate up to 750 slot machines and 40 table games.
Furthermore, tax revenue is to be dispersed at state, county and local level, meaning that Caernarvon Township could be set to 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,” added 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.”
