STATE COLLEGE — SC Gaming and Bally’s Corporation announced Friday, Sept. 13 that the contract between the two businesses to develop a casino at the Nittany Mall in College Township was terminated.
According to a joint press release from the companies, SC Gaming has confirmed that the casino project will remain on schedule regardless of the withdrawal of Bally’s Corporation and plans to open in early 2026.
“We are grateful for the collaboration and achievements we have accomplished with SC Gaming over the past three years,” George Papanier, president of Bally’s Corporation said. “However, asour strategic focus evolves, we have made the difficult decision to conclude our relationship. Weextend SC Gaming our best wishes for their ongoing development efforts and for their continuedsuccess.”
The two corporations began contract agreements three years ago, but since, Bally’s said that its corporate strategic priorities have shifted.
“As a part of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s application and approval process, Idemonstrated to the board my resources and capability to independently develop and operate thiscasino project without reliance on a third party, including Bally’s,” said Ira Lubert, the sole ownerof SC Gaming.
“I have a proven track record of casino resort development in Pennsylvania, having successfully developed the Valley Forge Casino Resort during the challenging economic conditions following the 2008 financial crisis.
“With that experience, I am fully confident that this project will be a success, delivering a casino development that both College Township and the Commonwealth can take pride in. We remain on track to bring this transformational development to life for Central Pennsylvania, and I wish Bally’s continued success in their exciting ventures, including major projects in Chicago and Las Vegas.”
In September 2020, SC Gaming won an auction with a $10 million bid to apply for the category four casino license. In 2021, Bally’s became a partner to help design, construct, manage and develop the casino project, estimated to be worth $130 million. The same year, a public hearing determined the size of the casino, operating hours and amenities.
The casino is projected to be open 24 hours a day each day a week, in a 94,000-square-foot spot in the mall. It looks to include 750 slot machines, 30 table games, sports betting, a restaurant and bar, an entertainment stage and a food court.
Although licensing and contracting began in 2021, legal challenges for the new casino continued into July 2024. A losing bidder from the 2020 auction, Stadium Casino, challenged that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board should not have been allowed to consider SC Gaming’s bid. Despite this, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled against Stadium Casino and dismissed the challenge, ultimately awarding SC Gaming the license to move forward with the project.
