Harrisburg, PA – The family that owns Mount Airy Casino Resort in northeastern Pennsylvania has won the rights to build a mini-casino on the opposite side of the state along the Ohio border. The winning bid was nearly $21.2 million, submitted by Mount Airy's vice president of marketing and gaming operations, Vincent Jordan.
The mini-casino will be located in Lawrence County, an area that has tried for years to land a casino project. Jordan called the area home to "a lot of people, a lot of opportunity." The exact location of the mini-casino has not been determined, but it is expected to bring economic benefits to the region.
The bid was one of three offers in the third mini-casino auction to date, besting bids by Parx Casino and Sands Casino Resort. The total amount raised from the first three auctions now stands at $112 million.
Pennsylvania has a long history of casino gambling, with the state's 11 licensed casinos generating over $1.4 billion in tax revenue last year alone. The mini-casinos are designed to bring new investment and jobs to underdeveloped areas, while also providing an additional source of revenue for the state.
Lawrence County officials had actively sought a suitor for a mini-casino after several investors tried unsuccessfully for years to build a casino and racetrack there. Area officials hope that the casino will provide an economic boost to the region.
"Today's a good day for our community," said Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler. "We expect this casino to draw from five surrounding counties, three in Pennsylvania and two in Ohio, with a combined population of 1 million."
The mini-casino will be allowed to operate up to 750 slot machines and license holders can pay an additional $2.5 million to operate 30 table games. The bids are limited for now to the owners of Pennsylvania's 11 casino licenses that allow holders to operate up to 5,000 slot machines and 250 table games.
The development comes after critics said state lawmakers gave Mount Airy two sweetheart provisions in the gambling bill. One provision protects much of northeastern Pennsylvania from the construction of a mini-casino that could compete with Mount Airy Casino for gamblers. Another provision effectively forces higher-earning casinos to bail out lower-performing casinos, potentially delivering a $4 million payment to Mount Airy and Presque Isle.
Rival casinos have filed legal challenges that threaten both provisions.
Mini-Casino Coming to Lawrence County
The mini-casino will be located in Lawrence County, an area that has tried for years to land a casino project. The winning bid was nearly $21.2 million, submitted by Mount Airy's vice president of marketing and gaming operations, Vincent Jordan.