Pennsylvania Casinos Are Investing $250 Million in Renovations

Since Pennsylvania legalized gambling, the industry investment has continued incremental growth. The Keystone State saw more than $250 million in renovation budget for casinos across the state. The motivation behind the investments is clear, attracting new visitors.

Investment to Combat Pandemic Issues

Most of the renovation budget was aimed at new constructions and amenities, and one of the key goals was attracting younger gamblers. According to the independent gambling website, state casinos had to reinvent themselves due to the pandemic impact, increased competition, and high inflation.

According to the report Wind Creek Casino, Parx Casino, Mohegan Pennsylvania, and Valley Forge Casino reached the prepandemic levels, while Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and TheMEadows, Harrah’s, and Rivers Philadelphia are still under pre-2020 levels.

The state casinos feel pandemic restrictions hurt Philadelphia more than some other states. So Penn Entertainment leader Jay Snowden tried to ban skill games publicly.

Searching for Younger Players

Amenities casinos in PA invested in this cycle are geared towards younger players. Some of the novelties include sportsbooks, new bars, restaurants, and concert venues. If you think of bars with lawn games, fire pits, and Topgolf Swing Suites, Chris Imperiale from Play Pennsylvania thinks it is a clear sign of a younger target audience.

One of the investment goals is expanding to draw more crowds, while another crucial idea is to pull customers from competitors. Pennsylvania has the highest commercial casino revenue behind only Nevada. The Keystone State is a rare market where competition is rising, but so is the revenue pie.

According to the report, visitors want a rich gaming, entertainment, and gaming package. While $250 million sounds like a lot, the renovation projects will likely continue at the same pace. The competitive nature of the PA market means casinos must invest to stay competitive.

Pennsylvania also benefits from these developments to boost the budget. Estimated annual gaming tax revenue could reach $5 billion.