Hempfield casino ready for Nov. 24 opening

The $150 million casino under construction at Westmoreland Mall is slated to open Nov. 24, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, officials announced Monday.

The casino, located in the former Bon-Ton department store at the Hempfield facility, will feature 750 slot machines and 30 table games along with restaurant and entertainment options.

“It’s going to up the ante on entertainment for everyone in the Greater Pittsburgh region,” general manager Sean Sullivan said in a statement. “Whether you want to gamble, dine on first-class food or experience the ultimate in sports viewing and sports book, Live! Casino has you covered. This will be a thrilling venue from the moment we open our doors.”

The more than 100,000-square-foot facility, owned by The Cordish Companies in Maryland, will consist of the casino on the first floor that will be open to guests 21 and older. It will feature a sports book through a partnership with FanDuel. The restaurants Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar and Sports & Social Steel City are on the second floor.

Sports & Social Steel City has a 45-foot television screen for viewing sports along with several noncasino games such as a bowling alley, a golf simulator, ping pong and more.

The concept for the casino was first proposed in 2018 and has since been looked at for its potential to provide $188 million in annual economic impact while generating $47.5 million in tax revenues annually. More than 500 people will be employed at the facility.

Several invitation-only events are scheduled for the weeks leading up to the grand opening. Charity nights are scheduled for Nov. 14 and 15, benefiting the Westmoreland County Food Bank and Sage’s Army. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled Nov. 17.

Casino officials have developed a comprehensive plan prior to the opening focused on masks, temperature checks, social distancing and cleaning of high-traffic areas such as slot machines and table games. Signs will be posted throughout the facility as reminders.

“Our priority is to provide a safe environment for our team members and guests,” Sullivan said. “We’ve gone through extraordinary measures to meet and exceed the state’s covid-19 guidelines to ensure all of our guests have fun and feel safe.”