Wondering what Happy Valley Casino will look like? See the newest renderings
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- Developers released renderings showing casino entrance, restaurants and layout.
- Casino expects April 2026 opening, 600 slots, 30 table games and 350 jobs.
- Regulators approved slots and table petitions.
New renderings released Wednesday offered the most detailed look yet at what future customers can expect from Happy Valley Casino ahead of its anticipated opening in April.
The images showed the casino’s main exterior guest entrance, an entry, its sports-themed, sit-down restaurant Aces Social and its quick-service food court Lucky Break Café.
Both food and beverage outlets will be owned and operated by the casino, general manager Eric Pearson told the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board during a public hearing Wednesday.
The renderings of Aces Social showed table and booth seating, as well as several large TV screens. Pearson said Lucky Break Café’s menu will at least include pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, coffee and ice cream.
Construction of both outlets, as well as the casino’s gaming area, is expected to be completed by March 9.
The casino also revealed the latest breakdown of its expected mix of 30 initial table games. After dropping four blackjack tables to go to 12, the casino seems poised to add an extra table of face up pai gow poker, three card poker, Mississippi stud and Spanish 21.
There would also be tables for craps, roulette, midi baccarat and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. After a year of operation, the casino could seek to add up to 10 more table games.
The table games are expected to be delivered by mid-February. Attorney Michael Fabius said during the hearing that the casino paid the $2.5 million table games authorization fee Wednesday.
State gaming regulators on Wednesday unanimously and conditionally approved three requests from the casino, including petitions to operate slot machines and conduct table games.
“We’re very pleased with the progress of construction and development led by our general contractor Poole Anderson,” Pearson said in a text message to the Centre Daily Times. “The approvals we received today from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board are an important milestone to bring Happy Valley Casino to life for the community. It’s been a long road to get here, but I couldn’t be happier with how the Project is coming together.”
In addition to the table games and eateries, the 24/7, nonsmoking casino will at first offer 600 slot machines — which come with a fee of $6 million. Developers plan to add up to 150 more slot machines within two to three years. Each new machine would require a $10,000 fee.
Pearson said the casino plans to request the issuance of its slot machine license in mid-December.
Work on the at least $120 million project at the Nittany Mall began in mid-March. About 350 full-time equivalent positions are planned. Developers signed a framework agreement with Saratoga Casino Holdings that would give the New York-based company a majority ownership stake in the project.
Supporters of the project generally tout its economic benefits, including employment opportunities and revitalization of the mall and the surrounding area. Opponents have raised concerns over gambling addictions and placing a strain on first responders and other local resources.
According to an impact report presented in September to College Township, the casino is expected to bring in about $38.1 million in net revenue in its first year. That number is expected to grow to $45.9 million in its 10th year.
In the first five years of operation, College Township and Centre County’s governments are expected to receive about $1.3 million annually in gaming tax.
The report also found there should be minimal concern about a potential increase in emergency calls — about one additional call for police each week, one additional call for EMS per month and two calls per month for fire protection. The most significant public safety need, the report found, will be parking lot safety.
This story was originally published November 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM.