Happy Valley Casino in Pennsylvania Enticing Customers With Free Slot Play
The 18th physical casino in Pennsylvania will open in State College's Happy Valley in the upcoming weeks. The casino is offering rewards signups a chance to win free slot play in advance of the opening.
Happy Valley Casino is classified as a Category 4 "mini casino." The building can initially accommodate up to 750 slot machines and 30 live dealer table games, according to Pennsylvania legislation.
After Pennsylvania billionaire Ira Lubert sold a controlling 60% stake in the license last year, Happy Valley is now owned by Saratoga Casino Holdings of New York. The company is currently conducting a promotion called "Countdown to Opening" to provide "players an early taste of what's to come."
Those who input their personal information can now play an online game on the Happy Valley website and win free slot machine prizes worth between $10 and $100.
"Even before we open our doors, we want guests to feel welcomed and rewarded,” said Eric Pearson, general manager of Happy Valley Casino. “The Countdown to Opening game builds anticipation while giving our guests a preview of the fun and rewards they can expect when we open this spring.”
“The limited-time promotion is designed to reward early fans and build excitement leading up to the grand opening. Winners will be among the first to celebrate at Happy Valley Casino, with all prizes redeemable at the Happy Valley Casino Players Club upon opening,” a release from the casino detailed.
Happy Valley Casino intends to open with 30 tables and 600 slots. There is no sportsbook provided.
Casino Close to Penn State
At the Nittany Mall, a former Macy's department store will be replaced with Happy Valley Casino.The Penn State University Park Main Campus is less than three miles to the east of the shopping mall.
The owners of Happy Valley have operated a casino dealer school at the Nittany Mall; Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is currently the closest casino to State College.
A range of games, such as baccarat, roulette, blackjack, and crape, are taught to students. Students are paid $15 per hour for their labor, and the 12-week program is free.
Happy Valley offers dealer graduates hired by the casino "high-paying careers."
Opening in the Spring
Happy Valley Casino has hinted about an opening in "spring 2026." As the spring semester comes to an end, kids go home for the summer, and there is no football, the facility will open during what is often a slower time of year for Centre County.
On Penn State football Saturdays, however, Happy Valley becomes Pennsylvania's third-largest city when over 100,000 people flock to Beaver Stadium. Happy Valley Casino, a $120 million project that includes a $10 million licensing fee, is making a huge wager that a lot of those weekend football enthusiasts will visit before or after the game to play table games and spin slots.
The SYNKROS Drink System will enable players to order drinks straight from their gaming machine, making the majority of the casino's slots personal bars.
