- Happy Valley Casino will open in Spring 2026 with two test days happening in late April.
- The new casino will be located down the road from Penn State.
- 350 news jobs will be created.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The new Happy Valley Casino in State College, Pennsylvania, is just about to launch in Spring 2026, however, not before two test days on April 24th and 25th as required by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
The new legal blackjack casino will be located at the Nittany Mall, just five minutes down the road from the Penn State University campus.
The two-day test period will directly benefit both the YMCA of Centre County and the State College Food Bank.
“The Test Days are an exciting milestone for our team,” said Eric Pearson, General Manager of Happy Valley Casino. “We’re proud to welcome the community inside for the first time, not only to showcase what we’ve built, but also to give back to two incredible local organizations that make a meaningful impact every day.”
What To Expect
First and foremost, the Pennsylvania blackjack casino is expected to have a major economic impact in State College, creating roughly 350 permanent jobs and bringing around $20 million in annual wages.
Officials are also expecting roughly $80 million to be contributed to the economy each year, which would bring around $1.5 million in local tax revenue.
The new 94,000 square foot facility will feature over 600 slot machines, 30 table games including blackjack and craps, and different dining options.