Big Beaver will be home to a mini-casino next year. Mount Airy Casino announced its plans to open a satellite casino in Beaver County by late-2019.
In an announcement released Monday, the casino detailed its intentions on constructing Mount Airy Pittsburgh in Big Beaver. The township is just northwest of the sizable Pittsburgh market. According to the release, Mount Airy expects to break ground on the property by the end of 2018. The company states “over 100 shovel-ready acres” are ready to be developed just off Interstate 376 and the PA Turnpike.
Here’s Mount Airy owner and managing trustee Lisa DeNaples, from the release:
“We’re thrilled to bring our four-diamond customer service, high quality entertainment and luxurious amenities to Beaver County and the surrounding communities, while contributing a positive lasting impact on the local economy. For over a decade, Mount Airy Casino Resort in the Poconos has paved the way as one of the nation’s most dynamic, upscale destination casino resorts. Our thoughtful expansion into the Pittsburgh and tri-state area represents a huge milestone in our effort to do what we live and breathe every day: provide award-winning customer service and luxury amenities to more people.”
Mount Airy follows through
In February, Mount Airy landed a satellite casino license with a winning bid of $21,888,888.88. At the time, it appeared the casino’s plans were to develop a mini-casino in western Pennsylvania. That’s exactly what Mount Airy did, allowing the company to tap into eastern Ohio markets as well as capitalize on PA residents.
Per the satellite casino license, Mount Airy Pittsburgh will feature 750 slot machines, 30 table games, a high-limit area, and a restaurant and sports bar.
Other amenities at the new resort include a full-service hotel, a convention center, a pool, a spa and a salon, among other luxuries.
“We envision the casino as just the start of building something truly special for the tri-state area,” DeNaples said in the release. “Imagine not just a casino, but a destination that raises industry-wide expectations and standards – serving as a phenomenal gathering space for celebrations and live entertainment and bringing upwards of 700 jobs to regional residents.”
Two weeks ago, Mount Airy applied for and received an extension from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to submit its plans for a mini-casino. The extension allowed Mount Airy until Oct. 12 to do so. Obviously Mount Airy did not need that much more time, as it found its host in Beaver County.
“This is an exciting time of economic development in Beaver County that will be further spurred by Mount Airy’s new investment,” said Daniel Camp III, chairman of Beaver County Commissioners. “I welcome the economic growth and entertainment options this will bring not only to the citizens of Beaver County, but to those in neighboring regions. After working with the Mount Airy management team for the past several months, I know they will be great partners for Beaver County and Big Beaver Borough.”
Joining the mini-casino party
Mount Airy becomes the second PA casino to announce plans for a satellite casino.
On July 25, Stadium Casino announced it had selected Westmoreland Mall to be developed into its mini-casino. The 100,000-square-foot casino, according to the release, will “create more than 600 jobs and generate millions of dollars annually to the local community.”
Stadium Casino won the second Category 4 license last November, costing the group a whopping $40,100,005.
Outside of Stadium and Mount Airy, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment (owner of Parx Casino) has until August, and Penn National Gaming (owner of Hollywood Casino) has until September to submit mini-casino plans to the PGCB.
