Sunday, February 23, 2025, 1:22AM |  34°
MENU
Advertisement
1
MORE

New twist in mini-casino auction: No one submits a bid

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

New twist in mini-casino auction: No one submits a bid

In a new twist to Pennsylvania’s gambling expansion plans, none of the state’s existing casinos bid Friday for the right to be the fifth one to operate one of the smaller new mini-casinos.

In four previous rounds of silent auction bidding held every two weeks by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, winning bids totaled some $120 million — including for mini-casinos planned in Westmoreland and Lawrence counties — although the value of the bids declined each time.

The lack of new bidding raises questions about the potential for a mini-casino to come to Mercer County. Two weeks ago, the casino in Bethlehem owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corp. placed a $9.9 million bid for a satellite operation centered around Mercer, only to have the bid invalidated by the state board because its designated geographic area was too close to the competing mini-casino planned in Lawrence County.

Advertisement

The Sands officials had the right to alter their geography slightly and bid again Friday but did not. The decision possibly was affected by the company’s announcement Thursday that it would be selling its Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem property to a gaming company operated by a Florida Indian tribe.

Aaron Merriman takes the lead during a race last year at The Meadows. Last year at The Meadows he was the No. 2 driver. In 2015 and 2016, he was the top harness racing driver in the United States.
Sam Wood
Pa.'s horse-racing industry struggles while slot-machines in casinos thrive

The lack of mini-casino bidding by Sands or any of six other eligible Pennsylvania casinos that did not previously win a mini-casino means a new, broader round of bidding will take place on March 21. Those same seven operators, as well as the four previous winning bidders and the holders of two existing resort casino licenses — including the Lady Luck Casino at Nemacolin Woodlands — will all be eligible to place a minimum $7.5 million bid to choose a location for a mini-casino containing up to 750 slot machines and 30 to 40 table games.

Gary Rotstein: grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.

First Published: March 9, 2018, 7:31 p.m.
Updated: March 9, 2018, 7:31 p.m.

Advertisement
RELATED
The Rivers Casino on the North Shore.
Gary Rotstein
It will never rival the Vegas Strip, but an I-79 'casino corridor' lies ahead
A new mini-casino location has been selected in Cumberland County by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc.
Gary Rotstein
New mini-casino planned in Cumberland County, not Mercer
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
York County District Attorney Timothy J. Barker reacts during a news conference regarding the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
1
news
Police officer killed, gunman dead in shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
2
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
Elon Musk told federal workers Saturday that they must respond to an email by summarizing their accomplishments for the week, repeating a tactic he used to cull the workforce at his social media company.
3
news
Elon Musk gives all federal workers 48 hours to explain what they did last week
Pirates outfielder DJ Stewart gets congratulations from teammates after his home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the Grapefruit League season at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
4
sports
5 takeaways from Pirates' spring training victory over Orioles
Mike Lange’s family, coworkers, and friends stand on the ice during a memorial celebration of Lange’s career and life at the PPG Paints Arena before the Penguins take on the Washington Capitols on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Mike passed away on the 19th and was a beloved play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Penguins for 46 years.
5
sports
Jason Mackey: Penguins hit all the right notes in honoring icon Mike Lange
 (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story