There are 12 brick-and-mortar casinos in Pennsylvania that offer slots, tables games, poker, horse racing and sports betting. They stretch from north to south and east to west, with options available to residents and visitors throughout the state. They currently fall into three categories: racinos, stand-alone casinos and resort casinos.
Harrah’s Philadelphia: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester, PA 19013 | (484) 490-1800
Hollywood Casino at Penn National: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville, PA 17028 | (717) 469-2211
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin: 1001 Lafayette Dr, Farmington, PA 15437 | (724) 329-7500
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino: 210 Racetrack Rd, Washington, PA 15301 | (724) 503-1200
Mohegan Sun Pocono: 1280 Pennsylvania 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 | (570) 831-2100
Mount Airy Casino: 312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono, PA 18344 | (877) 682-4791
Parx Casino: 2999 Street Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020 | (866) 374-3386
Presque Isle Downs and Casino: 8199 Perry Hwy, Erie, PA 16509 | (866) 374-3386
Rivers Casino: 777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | (412) 231-7777
Rivers Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse): 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125 | (877) 477-3715
Valley Forge Casino resort: 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406 | (610) 354-8118
Wind Creek (formerly Sands Bethlehem): 77 Sands Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18015 | (484) 777-7777
Live! Casino and Hotel (planned): 900 Packer Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148 | TBD
The dozen casinos are broken up as follows:
- Six racinos (seven total permitted)
- Four stand-alone casinos with a fifth expected to launch in the fall (five total permitted)
- Two resort casinos (3 total permitted)
- Additionally, there are 10 satellite casinos permitted under Pennsylvania law, five of which are currently in the works.
When Did Casinos in Pennsylvania Shut Down?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board instructed the remaining six open casinos to begin closing procedures on March 16 to take effect at 6 a.m. March 17. Six casinos had already shut down operations: Valley Forge Casino and Resort, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Parx Casino, Rivers Philadelphia, Rivers Pittsburgh, Wind Creek Bethlehem
“The public health and safety of patrons, casino employees and others are of paramount importance,” the PGCB said in a news release at the time. “The order to close follows the rapid expansion of reported COVID-19 cases and is aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus.”
The shutdown was devastating for the brick-and-mortar casinos. In February, Pennsylvania casinos posted gross revenue from slots and table games of about $277 million. That dropped to $120 million combined in March and zero for April and May.
The casinos lost out on nearly three months of potential income, with the prospects of reduced cash flow for the months that follow as Pennsylvania undoubtedly will take a cautious approach to allowing casinos to run at full capacity. Patrons may also be reluctant to return until fears of a coronavirus second wave are either mitigated or a vaccine becomes available.
When Will Casinos in Pennsylvania Reopen?
Casinos are already starting to reopen as Pennsylvania enters the “green” phase of its three-phase reopening process. To maintain social distancing, casinos must limit the gaming floor and restaurants to 50% capacity (they will have customer counters at the entrances and disable certain slot machines).
As of June 23, six were open with three more - Presque Isle Downs & Casino, Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack and Valley Forge Casino Resort - reopening on June 26. Parx Casino and Wind Creek reopened June 29. Rivers Casino Philadelphia will be the last to reopen and has announced it plans to allow customers in on Friday, July 17 at 9 a.m.
Hours will be reduced in order to allow for a deep cleaning, though continuous sanitizing will take place throughout the day and all staff and guests must wear masks.
The state has already progressed through the first two phases: red and yellow. Red was the most restrictive, included a stay-at-home order, closed all recreational activities, limited restaurants and bars to takeout and delivery only and shut non-life sustaining businesses.
The yellow phase lifted the most severe restrictions but still shuttered indoor recreational and entertainment facilities. It also prohibited large gatherings of more than 25 people and only allowed for takeout, delivery and outdoor dining at restaurants.
