It was not exactly a roll of the dice when Live Casino Pittsburgh opened five years ago at Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield.

The small-scale casino was envisioned by state lawmakers to bring additional tax dollars into the state coffers. For county leaders, it was expected to enhance local tourism, and for township officials, it represented potential for an influx of revenue and prestige.

Five years after its November 2020 opening, Live Casino Pittsburgh has delivered on those promises, officials said.

Local leaders said the 100,000-­ square-foot facility has contributed $800 million to the local economy and generated more than $230 million in tax revenue, a portion of which — $19.3 million — was allocated this year to 89 grants for local economic development projects in the county.

Community impact

The casino pays a 54% tax bill on its revenue. The money is used to provide property tax relief for residents and grants to pay for economic development projects throughout the state and in Westmoreland County. In addition, about $2 million is turned over to Hempfield annually and used to bolster the township’s fire services and recreational programs.

The casino’s impact on the community has been significant, said Hempfield Supervisor Doug Weimer.

“It has certainly played a major role in solidifying that business district, and it’s had a great impact on the mall itself,” Weimer said.

Weimer said the casino has become a major destination within the township.

“It is a place for gatherings and it is definitely a destination area, whether you are gambling or for all of the entertainment that’s there. It’s certainly one of the things that stands out when you think of Hempfield,” Weimer said.

Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas conceded the casino has become a draw for tourists.

“Clearly, people seem to be enjoying it and it’s a tremendous help to Hempfield Township. Regrettably, the county doesn’t directly benefit financially, but the local share is helpful, and it does help our nonprofit community,” Kopas said.

Casino officials said more than $700,000 in donations to charities have been made since it opened. During the same period, gamblers have won more than $33 million in jackpots, according to the casino.

‘The neighborhood casino’

Built in the renovated former Bon-Ton department store at Westmoreland Mall, the casino is owned by The Cordish Cos., a Maryland-based retail and gambling developer. It employs about 550 and draws about 1.2 million visitors annually, said Sean Sullivan, executive vice president and general manager of Live Casino Pittsburgh.

The casino, on the first floor of the two-story building, has 750 slot machines, 40 table games, high-stakes gaming areas, a poker room and an expansive sportsbook. Its upper floor includes a 7,000-square-foot meeting room, a cowboy-themed bar and an all-ages sports-themed restaurant and bar that includes arcade games and a bowling alley.

Sullivan said an average visitor spends about $78 during a less-than-two-hour trip to the casino.

“Many people look at us like we are ‘Cheers,’ the neighborhood casino,” Sullivan said.

The casino’s opening more than eight months after the start of the coronavirus pandemic helped bolster the mall, said Stacey Keating, spokeswoman for Tennessee-based CBL Properties, the retail center’s owner.

“Since they opened, they have been a true partner and continue to invest in the mall campus and the community. Live Casino has been an incredible draw, expanding the mall’s overall trade area, which has a positive impact on the overall property,” Keating said in an email.

Prior to the casino’s opening, the mall had a 94% occupancy rate. Its occupancy rate was 91% at the end of 2024, she said.

Convention center, crime discussed

A study commissioned by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce recommended construction of a hotel and convention center adjacent to the casino, a project that has yet to receive any funding and awaits further consideration. Chamber President Dan DeBone said the casino is the linchpin of the plan and is an economic driver for the county.

“Restaurants, shops and service providers are seeing more foot traffic, which creates new opportunities for collaboration and growth. It’s also helped put Westmoreland County on the map as a place people want to visit, invest in and call home,” DeBone said.

Still, the casino has detractors, including Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger. During a hearing this month for a Jeannette man charged with illegal possession of a gun, Krieger spoke out against what he said was an increasing level of crime connected to the gambling facility.

“I wish we didn’t have the casino,” Krieger said, noting that he presides over cases that are initiated in the section of Westmoreland County where the casino is located. “I see all the nonsense from the casino. Maybe some people get rich, but most don’t. Gambling, drugs and guns don’t mix.”

Sullivan said he disagrees with the judge. He pointed to testimony from state police personnel and mall officials during a license renewal hearing last year before the state gaming commission, in which they said crime has not increased since the casino’s opening.

“We’re not a hazard. We’re safe. Ask our customers; ask the police. There’s no threat here,” Sullivan said.

The casino employs around-the-clock private security and enlists state police to patrol its footprint on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Our customers don’t want to go into any facility where there is a risk,” Sullivan said.

Gambling has had a societal impact, said Elizabeth Comer, executive director of the Monessen-based Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission. Comer said her agency, which provides education, prevention and treatment services for addictions — including gambling — has seen an increase in demand for services over the past five years.

“Yes, there is a financial benefit (from the casino) that is nice, but that should not be the only focus. There should also be a focus on the damage it (gambling) does to people. Addiction is addiction, and there is certainly a negative side to gambling,” Comer said.

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