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More court arguments have been filed regarding Bally’s Casino case in State College, causing expected delays for the Pennsylvania casino. The court battle is currently between:
- SC Casino, a group that received a casino license approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) in January.
- Stadium Casino, a developer whose bid was rejected
Stadium Casino has previously filed an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court challenging SC Casino’s casino project. In other words, Stadium is tempting the PGCB’s January decision to approve Bally’s State College to the Supreme Court.
The developer is now fighting the postponement.
Stadium Casino’s appeal fights delay in case hearing
The PGCB issued a stay-in delay for the Supreme Court to rule on the issue. But Stadium Casino’s new filing argues against the delay insisting the Commonwealth Court hears the case.
The court proceedings could have a major impact. Despite the Centre County casino project license approval, it can only issue the license once court appeals are settled. Attorneys say those appeals could go on for several years.
In mid-February, the Commonwealth Court ruled in favor of Stadium Casino. The court has given SC Gaming and the PGCB a 30-day timeframe to respond. But if the case moves to a level above the Commonwealth, it could put Stadium Casino’s fight at risk.
PGCB approves but cannot issue Bally’s a Pennsylvania casino license
Bally’s planned to place a casino inside the Nittany Mall near Penn State University’s main campus. But Bally Casino is now in the middle of a lawsuit. It is due to a potentially illegal bid Ira Lubert made to win the license in 2020.
Stadium Casino, which runs Live! Casino Philadelphia and Pittsburgh lost the bid to former Penn State trustee Ira Lubert. In July 2021, Stadium filed an appeal to the PA Supreme Court challenging the State College casino project.
Pennsylvania first allowed qualified and current slot license holders at PA casinos, to apply for a bid. After the bidding went dry, the PGCB decided to let investors with noteworthy casino ownership positions to bid. Last month, the board issued the Category 4 license to SC Gaming OpCo and Bally’s to open its Nittany Mall Casino in Centre Valley.
Bally’s is making its way through Pennsylvania
Regardless of the ongoing Nittany Casino dispute, Bally’s is getting ready to launch its online casino in Pennsylvania.
Earlier this month, the PGCB granted the Bally online casino as a Qualified Gaming Entity (QGE) to go live in Pennsylvania. QGE status allows out-of-state operators to apply for a gaming license without having to partner with land-based casinos.
In particular, Bally casino received online gaming licenses for online slots and table games.
