The casino under construction at the Nittany Mall has an official name.
Happy Valley Casino will be the name of the category 4 casino in the former Macy’s space at the College Township mall, owner SC Gaming LLC announced on Thursday.
SC Gaming, which is owned by investor and Penn State alumnus Ira Lubert, also unveiled the logo for the casino, which the company says “reflects the modern vision and spirit of the future casino, while incorporating visual nods to the iconic valleys and mountains of the region.”
“We feel that the name and logo pays homage to the rich history, picturesque landscapes and enduring spirit of the Happy Valley community that we are proud to be a part of,” Eric Pearson, CEO of SC Gaming, said in a statement.
Happy Valley Casino is on track for completion by early spring 2026, according to SC Gaming. The estimated $120 million project in the 94,000-square-foot anchor spot at the mall will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and pending regulatory approvals will have 750 slot machines, 30 table games and sports betting, along with a full-service sports-themed restaurant and bar with an entertainment stage and a multi-outlet quick-serve food court.
Poole Anderson Construction of State College is the general contractor on the project. Robert Poole, chairman of Poole Anderson, was listed as a vice president of SC Gaming in documents filed with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
“The project is off to a great start and we’re confident that once it is completed we’ll deliver a premier experience focusing on fun, excitement and hospitality that compliments Happy Valley and serves as a catalyst for further exciting development of the Dale Summit region around the Nittany Mall,” Pearson said.
SC Gaming entered a framework agreement earlier this year to partner with Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC on development and management of the casino, six months after Bally’s withdrew from the project. The deal calls for Saratoga — which operates Saratoga Casino Hotel in New York, Saratoga Casino Black Hawk in Colorado and Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel in Mississippi — to acquire a majority interest in the property upon completion.
Corporate restructuring is pending approval by the PGCB.
Lubert won the auction to apply for a category 4 license in 2020 and the licensing process began in 2021. The project was delayed for years, however, after a competing company challenged the license, arguing that Lubert — who was eligible to bid because of his ownership interest in other casino properties — acted as a “Trojan horse” for other parties, including Bally’s, who would not have been eligible.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the license in January 2023 and the state Supreme Court dismissed the legal challenge last year.
Some community members have maintained their long-running opposition to the project, based on worries about gambling addiction, especially among students at nearby Penn State, an influx of crime and skepticism that the casino would be an economic boon. Pearson met with residents last fall to discuss their concerns.
Supporters have said that legal online options already make gambling widely available in Pennsylvania and that the region would experience an economic boost from a new entertainment venue. A third-party impact study submitted by SC Gaming as part of the licensure process projected $1.6 million in tax revenue for College Township in the first year of operation and about 400 full time equivalent jobs.
College Township Council in May commissioned Convergence Strategy Group to conduct an independent impact study that “provides a relevant and accurate assessment of the potential social, demographic, economic and other impacts associated with the casino,” Assistant Township Manager Mike Bloom wrote in a memo.
“The report will also offer clear and actionable recommendations for the Township to consider during its development of potential future policies, programs and projects that serve to mitigate any negative impacts and maximize any benefits that come from being the host community to this Category 4 Mini-Casino,” Bloom wrote
