State College Casino Near Penn State Will Be Named Happy Valley
  • 30 May 2025

State College Casino Near Penn State Will Be Named Happy Valley

The casino being built at the Nittany Mall in Pennsylvania’s Centre County, only a few miles from the main campus of Penn State University, now has a name. 

SC Gaming OpCo, the LLC headed by real estate developer Ira Lubert, a PSU graduate and past chair of the university’s board of trustees, announced this week that the $120 million gaming venue will be named Happy Valley Casino. 

Happy Valley represents Penn State. The area includes State College along with its five townships, such as College Township and Mount Nittany. Happy Valley is a section of the broader Nitt

"We feel that the name and logo pay homage to the rich history, picturesque landscapes, and enduring spirit of the Happy Valley community that we are proud to be a part of,” said Eric Pearson, CEO of SC Gaming.

In March, SC Gaming revealed that Saratoga Casino Holdings from New York will oversee the upcoming casino. Saratoga came on board after Bally’s Corp. left the project last September. 

 

Retail Shopping Transformed into Casinos 

Happy Valley Casino is a Category 4 establishment permitted to initially provide up to 750 slot machines and 30 live dealer table games. The venue may feature a physical sportsbook, but currently, SC Gaming representatives state they are not inclined toward the low-margin sports betting market. 

Happy Valley Casino will take over Macy’s position as the anchor tenant in the shopping center, which features numerous empty stores. Macy’s shut down its Nittany Mall location in early 2020 after JCPenney left in 2015, along with both Bon-Ton and Sears in 2018. 

Happy Valley, expected to open early next year, will be the fourth Cat venue. 4 casinos in Pennsylvania to fill a previous retail shopping area. 

Hollywood Casino York functions in a previous Sears location at the York Galleria, while Live! Casino Pittsburgh is located in a former Bon-Ton within the Westmoreland Mall. Parx Casino Shippensburg is located in a former Lowe's building. 

 

Dissatisfied with Happy Valley Casino 

Longtime Penn Staters who traveled northwest to State College from southern areas in Pennsylvania via US-322 may recall a roadside sign that cautioned that to reach Happy Valley, one must first pass through Death Valley. The stretch of road, previously just two lanes running through a deep valley alongside the Juniata River, was the site of numerous fatal car accidents until it was widened to four lanes in 2007. 

As they came off the two-lane highway at Lewistown, with Happy Valley visible ahead, it was hard not to grin for the many Penn Staters who took that journey. The four-lane road speeds up the journey and enhances safety, though it feels slightly less nostalgic. A casino at arrival is another thing that many Nittany Lions fear. 

A significant segment of the State College community is against permitting a casino to intrude so near to the location where roughly 49,000 undergraduate and graduate students are focused on their studies. The Penn State Board of Trustees declined to adopt an official stance on the casino, but they recently appointed Richard Sokolov as the vice chairman of Penn State’s Board of Trustees; he serves as vice president of SC gaming. 

College Township’s choice to remain a potential Cat. 4 sites where it could have back in 2017 means that residents have limited legal options to prevent its development. 

Pearson maintains that Happy Valley Casino will exclusively benefit the area. 

“We’re confident that once it is completed, we’ll deliver a premier experience focusing on fun, excitement, and hospitality that complements Happy Valley and serves as a catalyst for further exciting development of the Dale Summit region around the Nittany Mall,” Pearson said.

Related articles

We've checked before you play

Having reviews for everything is beneficial. Even negative reviews can benefit your business because they tell you about the player experience. A well-written review will be succinct and provide enough information to prospective players to avoid forcing them to draw incorrect conclusions about the encounter. It should be as error-free as possible and offer comments and recommendations without disparaging the company in order to ensure that it is professional.

1
4.1
JackBit

Welcome Bonus

50 Free Spins

Play Now
  • Crypto-friendly gaming establishment
  • Live chat is available around-the-clock
  • Numerous options for responsible gambling are available

New players only. Amont of bonus : 100 Freespins. Min deposit to use freespins : 50 USD. Provider : Gamino. Game : Big Bass Splash (Pragmatic Play). Wager : Wager Free.

2
4.6
Crypto Leo

No Deposit Bonus

Get 50 Free Spins with Code: 50BLITZ1

Play Now
  • Several providers are located there
  • Quick withdrawals
  • Lobby for games that is user-friendly

T&Cs Apply 18+, Terms and Conditions Apply

3
4.4
MrQ

Spend £10 Get 20 Spins

with code: TED20

Play Now
  • An excellent selection of Thunderkick titles
  • Live chat is accessible
  • Secured by SSL

#AD. *20 Free Spins credited upon your first £10 deposit on Big Bass Splash slot only, valued at 10p per spin. Free Spins must be used within 48 hours of qualifying. All winnings are uncapped and credited to your real money balance. New players only. begambleaware.org. 18+ Full T&Cs apply.

4
4.5
Lucky Red

Welcome Offer

Get up to $4,000! 400% MATCH +$75 FREE chip when using Crypto

Play Now
  • Download client, mobile, and instant play options
  • Live chat customer service available around-the-clock
  • SSL security

Wagering: 50X. Max Cashout: 10X. Games: Slots, Keno & Scratch Cards. Redeemable: 1X. Max bet per hand: $10. Must have deposited using Bitcoin.

5
4.4
Fresh Bet

Welcome Package of Up to €1500

Play Now
  • Cryptocurrency-friendly
  • Sportsbook and casino games

The minimum deposit is $20. 1st Deposit Bonus 100% up to $500. 2nd Deposit Bonus 50% up to $300. 3rd Deposit Bonus 100% up to $400. Maximum amount of the First Deposit Bonus is $500. Maximum amount of the Second Deposit Bonus is $300. Maximum amount of the Third Deposit Bonus is $400. The First/Second/Third Deposit Bonus has a wagering of 30x (thirty), and it is available for 30 (thirty) days. If a player does not meet the wagering requirements within the 30 day period, their bonus and any pending winnings will expire and be removed from the account.

6
4.2
Jeff Bet

Welcome Bonus

20 Free Spins on Rainbow Riches

Play Now
  • Leading suppliers are based here
  • Live chat is available at all times
  • Games optimized for mobile devices

20 Free Spins bonus is awarded on the first deposit (after registration as a new player) of minimum €/£/$10. Only one bonus per player is available. The winnings generated from the bonus will be credited to the player's real money account up to the maximum conversion Amount of €/£/$500. If within 48 hours from crediting the bonus to player's account, player did not use the bonus, the bonus will expire and player shall not be able to receive the expired bonus. Withdrawal request voids any active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits.Full Terms apply.