Published on: September 20, 2024, 05:28h.
Last updated on: September 20, 2024, 05:28h.
The developer of the casino planned for the Nittany Mall in Pennsylvania’s College Township assured the local community on Thursday that he is listening to their concerns.
Eric Pearson serves as the CEO of SC Gaming OpCo, LLC, the company formed by real estate mogul Ira Lubert to bid for a Category 4 casino license in Pennsylvania. Lubert, a Penn State alumnus and former member, vice chair, and chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, won the license in the auction for a little over $10 million.
The casino project has experienced delays over the past four years due to a legal challenge by Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia against the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, accusing Lubert of violating bidding rules. The case reached the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and was ultimately dismissed in July.
Amid the legal battle, many community members expressed their opposition to the casino’s proximity to Penn State University Main Campus during a City Council meeting. Pearson, at the meeting, expressed willingness to engage in ongoing discussions with residents to address their concerns.
While we may not agree on everything, I am a part of this community and I value hearing your voices,” Pearson stated.
Pearson invited individuals to meet with him to share their opinions on the project. Despite being open to dialogue, Pearson made it clear that the Nittany Mall casino development will move forward as planned.
The casino development will proceed, and I will oversee its operations,” he affirmed.
Construction on the former Macy’s department store at Nittany Mall is set to begin early next year, with the gaming floor expected to be operational by the first half of 2026.
We Are… Opposed
Casino.org has received numerous comments from community members expressing strong opposition to Lubert’s casino project, with only a few in support. The coverage of Lubert’s $10 million donation to Beaver Stadium renovation was met with disapproval by many.
Many opponents attended the meeting to voice their frustration with Lubert and the township councilors who did not opt out of the Category 4 casino licensing process.
Pearson appears to be working on addressing the public’s concerns.
Pearson’s recent appearance in College Township follows Bally’s Corporation’s announcement of withdrawing from the Nittany Mall casino project. Bally’s was initially set to manage the property but cited shifting priorities towards other projects as the reason for their decision.
Pearson engaged with several casino detractors at the meeting, including Andrew Shaffer, who frequently voices opposition to the casino project. Shaffer raised concerns about the potential negative impact of a casino near an institute of higher learning.
Longtime Lubert Ally
Pearson’s career began in Las Vegas and includes roles at various Strip casinos before serving as vice president of gaming at Foxwoods Resort Casino. In 2016, he joined Lubert as president and CEO at Valley Forge Casino Resort, a role he held until the property was sold to Boyd Gaming for $280.5 million in 2018.
Pearson remains a key figure in Lubert’s casino ventures.
Valley Forge Casino Resort was a significant success for its investors, being the first in Pennsylvania to obtain a Category 3 license that restricted access to hotel guests. The resort model required non-guests to make a purchase in the resort or obtain a casino membership.
Category 3 licenses cost $5 million, significantly less than standalone Category 2 licenses. Regulations allowed Category 3 casinos to pay a fee to remove restrictions, but initially, they were not eligible for Category 4 opportunities.
When the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board expanded bidding to holders of Category 2 licenses, Lubert qualified due to his stake in Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.