Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC has received a gaming license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, clearing a key regulatory step for the company as it prepares to develop and operate the upcoming Happy Valley Casino in central Pennsylvania. The approval adds Pennsylvania to the list of states where the New York-based operator holds non-tribal casino licenses, alongside New York, Mississippi, and Colorado, and positions the company as the majority owner of the new facility near State College.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board confirmed that it awarded the license last week, with the decision finalized through a separate vote. With that action, Saratoga Casino Holdings formally assumes responsibility for guiding the project toward its anticipated opening timeline.
Chief Executive Officer Sam Gerrity acknowledged the significance of the decision in a company statement, saying, “As a third-generation, family-run business with more than 80 years in the horse racing industry and 20 years in casino, hotel, and entertainment operations, we are extremely proud to receive our Pennsylvania gaming license.” He added, “This milestone further expands our diversification within the gaming industry and reflects our long-standing commitment to operating best-in-class gaming facilities. Our strategy is centered on building strong relationships with our customers, team members, and the communities we serve.”
Ownership Shift and Regulatory Background
The path to the Happy Valley Casino license spans several years. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board originally awarded the Category 4 casino opportunity to SC Gaming, owned by Ira Lubert, in September 2020. That decision triggered extended litigation, which concluded after four years when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the board’s ruling. The outcome allowed the project to advance toward development.
Following the court decision, Lubert sold a majority share of the project to Saratoga Casino Holdings. The transfer became official during a June meeting of the gaming control board, granting Saratoga Casino Holdings a 60% ownership stake and management control. Earlier this year, the two companies signed a framework agreement outlining Saratoga’s role in developing and managing the casino at the Nittany Mall.
SC Gaming paid about $10 million for the Category 4 slot machine license fee in September 2020. In 2021, the company announced a partnership with Bally’s, though that agreement ended in September 2024. Lubert stated at the time that the termination would not affect the casino’s planned opening.
Construction Plans and Gaming Offerings
Construction is already underway at the site, which occupies a long-vacant Macy’s department store space at the Nittany Mall along East College Avenue in College Township, a short distance from Penn State University and Beaver Stadium. The project carries an estimated total cost of $120 million and is expected to act as a catalyst for redevelopment in the surrounding area.
Developers have outlined a phased construction schedule. Back-of-house areas are expected to be completed by late December, followed by installation of a backup generator in mid-January. Work on food, beverage, and gaming areas is scheduled to finish in early March, with full construction targeted for completion by the end of that month.
When it opens, Happy Valley Casino is expected to begin operations with 600 slot machines and 30 table games. Approved table offerings include Craps, Roulette, Mini Baccarat, Face Up Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Spanish 21, and Blackjack. The casino will not offer live poker during its first year, though officials have indicated that the option could be considered later. There are also no active plans for sports betting or iGaming at launch, according to statements made to the board.
Role in the Local Market
As a Category 4 facility, Happy Valley Casino falls under Pennsylvania’s “satellite casino” designation, which allows between 300 and 750 slot machines and up to 40 table games. Plans include potential expansion to the maximum 750 slots if customer demand supports it. The smoke-free venue is expected to open in April 2026, making it the 18th casino operating in the state.
Dining options will include Aces Social, a sports-themed restaurant and bar, along with Lucky Break Café, which plans to serve items such as pizza, hamburgers, coffee, ice cream, and sandwiches. Additional quick-serve dining and a centrally located bar operating around the clock are also part of the design.
Saratoga Casino Holdings currently owns and operates properties in Saratoga Springs, New York; Black Hawk, Colorado; and Natchez, Mississippi. Across its portfolio, the company manages roughly 175,000 square feet of gaming space, more than 2,100 slot machines, table games, a poker room, a sportsbook, hotels, dining venues, meeting space, and entertainment offerings.
For the State College area, the project is expected to bring economic activity, new jobs, and additional tax revenue, though proposals for gaming facilities near university campuses have historically drawn public scrutiny. As development continues, Happy Valley Casino represents a major expansion for Saratoga Casino Holdings and a notable addition to Pennsylvania’s gaming landscape.
