Happy Valley Casino officially opens after successful ‘test days,’ officials say
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- Happy Valley Casino will open Monday for daily operations from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- The casino is opening after two successful “test days” over the weekend.
- The non-smoking casino features two restaurants for guests, who must all be at least 21.
At last, State College’s long-planned mini-casino is open to the public.
Happy Valley Casino will begin regular operating hours from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. starting Monday, officials announced. The opening follows a pair of successful “test days” over the weekend, during which casino employees and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board officials evaluated performance and compliance with strict regulations.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for our team and the entire community as we open the doors to Happy Valley Casino,” general manager Eric Pearson said in a statement. “We’re proud to introduce a vibrant new destination where guests can enjoy top-tier gaming, great food and rewarding experiences. From day one, our focus has been on creating an atmosphere that’s welcoming, energetic and full of opportunity — and we can’t wait for our guests to be part of it.”
Happy Valley Casino will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, May 8, complete with commemorative coins for the first 1,500 reward card-carrying guests and complimentary cupcakes and champagne. The casino will host several drawings for $10,000 in free slot machine play and cash from 4-9 p.m.
The mini-casino is equipped with 600 slot machines and 30 table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat. Guests can visit two unique restaurants, a full-service bar and complimentary soda fountains to take a break from playing.
Casino guests must be at least 21 years old. Security workers will check all guests’ IDs before they enter the casino floor.
Though a mini-casino has been planned for State College for nearly six years, construction was delayed until March 2025 due to a wide range of legal and logistical challenges. Work wrapped up this spring as crews put the finishing touches on the casino, which transformed an end of the Nittany Mall that was once home to a Macy’s department store.
The non-smoking casino employs nearly 400 workers, according to Eric Pearson, the general manager. Nearly 100 people graduated from Happy Valley Casino’s “dealer school,” which offered 12 weeks of free training in the casino industry.
Supporters of the project say it should provide an economic boon for the area and the casino’s home municipality, College Township, which expects to receive about $1.2 million from it annually. Critics, meanwhile, have cited fears of enabling gambling addictions and increasing local crime.
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 10:43 AM.
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