Courtesy Saratoga Casino
By LEE COLEMAN
Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC has been granted a gaming license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to operate the Happy Valley Casino, which is under construction in State College, Pa.
“As a third-generation, family-run business with more than 80 years in the horse racing industry and 20 years in casino, hotel and entertainment operations, we are extremely proud to receive our Pennsylvania gaming license,” said Sam Gerrity, CEO of Saratoga Casino Holdings.
Gerrity said his grandfather and later his father, Dan, operated the Saratoga harness racing track in Saratoga Springs beginning in the early 1940s. That track later became part of the Saratoga Casino Hotel complex in Saratoga Springs.
Gerrity said the Happy Valley Casino is expected to open in April.
“We’ve been working on this for over a year,” he said. The Pennsylvania license was granted in late December.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $120 million. Upon completion of the transaction, Saratoga Casino Holdings will acquire a majority interest in the property.
With the addition of Happy Valley, Saratoga Casino Holdings will own and operate casinos in four states: Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs; Saratoga Casino Black Hawk in Black Hawk, Colo.; Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel on the Mississippi River in Natchez, Miss.; and the new State College facility.
Gerrity said the Happy Valley Casino, located at the Nittany Mall in State College, will employ more than 300 team members. More than 100 students are currently training to work at the casino.
“The objective is to be a good community partner, a community leader,” Gerrity said. He said the casino training school, also located at the Nittany Mall, prepares students to operate table games and handle other aspects of casino operations.
The Happy Valley Casino is a partnership between SC Gaming and Saratoga Casino Holdings.
“After years of delays, we’re overjoyed to be finally moving into active construction,” said Eric Pearson, CEO of SC Gaming.
“After an intensive evaluation process, we’ve found the right partner with Saratoga Casino Holdings, who shares our core values and a strong focus on guest experience,” Pearson said. Pearson, who has headed the project since its inception, will continue overseeing development and operations.
Gerrity said Happy Valley will feature 600 slot machines, 30 table games and two food-and-beverage amenities, Aces Social and Lucky Break Cafe. The casino will be similar to the Saratoga Casino Hotel, which opened in 2004 and was the first casino in New York state.
Gerrity is based in Saratoga Springs but travels regularly to other Saratoga Casino Holdings locations.
“I’m always on the road,” he said, noting the Pennsylvania casino is the closest to Saratoga, about a five-hour drive away.
In October 2023, Gerrity was named to the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 Under 40 list, recognizing professionals under age 40 making an impact on the gaming industry. Honorees were recognized at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.
Gerrity joined Saratoga Casino Holdings in 2018 as vice president of business development, focusing on new acquisitions and improving existing properties. He has served on the company’s board of directors for more than five years.
His previous experience includes work with New York state’s largest lobbying and government relations firm. He also represented Delaware North Companies Gaming and Entertainment in Panama and held senior executive positions with Arcos Dorados, the world’s largest McDonald’s franchisee.
Gerrity earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., and an MBA from Duke University.