Hollywood Casino York opened at York Galleria
The 80,000-square-foot casino has 500 slots and 24 table games. It will feature the first Barstool Sportsbook in the state.
Penn National started designing the project before the coronavirus pandemic hit, and construction paused when the shutdown occurred. It allowed the company to re-imagine the plans and make some changes, such as incorporating new technology into the facility, said Erin Chamberlin, senior vice president of regional operations.
The casino employs about 290 individuals, which is higher than what the company had planned but resulted from the extra amenities that were included.
Players are able to try their luck on video slot machines ranging from a penny to $5.
The casino starts with 24 table games, with four more set to arrive later, said Ruben Warren, vice president and general manager. Two electronic table games also will be available.
The table games will feature variations of: Blackjack, Craps and Roulette. A future expansion could allow up to 750 slot machines and 40 table games.
Sports fans will want to check out the new Barstool Sportsbook.
The area will be a place for patrons to bet on sports or simply enjoy the camaraderie that goes with watching a game, Chamberlin said.
She pointed to this area as an example of one of the re-imagined spaces. Barstool became a partner of Penn National in early 2020.
“It’s amazing what you can do with an old Sears store.” That’s what one Penn National Gaming official said few minutes before the doors to Hollywood Casino York opened for business.
Airville residents Chris Cubbage and Ricky Fields were first in line to enter the 80,000-square-foot, $120 million casino that sits in the former Sears store at the York Galleria in Springettsbury Township. “We got here at 8 a.m., because that’s when we thought it opened,” Cubbage said. “They wouldn’t let us stand here right away, so we waited in our car for about an hour until someone else showed up.”
That’s when the line officially started to form on the sidewalk in front of the casino. An hour before the doors were supposed to open, the line was well past the building. Hundreds waited in the heat.
Once the doors opened, it took about 15-20 minutes until the line was gone and the first bunch patrons who had waited were meandering through 510 slot machines, dozens of table games and the first Barstool Sportsbook in the state.
The casino will be open 24 hours. Patrons must be 21 or more.
