Happy Valley Casino opened on 27 April 2026 in the former Macy's space at the Nittany Mall, making it the first casino of any kind in Centre County. It currently rates 3.4 from around 150 Google reviewers.
That number deserves context rather than a defence. A hundred and fifty reviews is a very thin sample, and a floor four months old is still working through staffing, queueing and service problems that most established properties solved years ago. Early reviews of new casinos are almost always harsher than the same property earns a year later. But 3.4 is genuinely below the Pennsylvania average, and it would be dishonest to tell you otherwise.
What's on the floor
600 slot machines and 30 table games.
This is a Category 4 satellite casino, which is a specific licence class in Pennsylvania with a smaller cap than the full resort licences held by Parx or Wind Creek. The property is authorised to grow to as many as 750 slots and 40 tables over time, so the floor you see now is the floor at its smallest.
The operator is a partnership between SC Gaming and Saratoga Casino Holdings, the New York group behind Saratoga Casino Hotel — not one of the big national brands, which is part of why the property has a different feel from the Penn and Boyd floors elsewhere in the state.
Check the venue's site for the current table schedule before you plan around a specific game. A 30-table pit at a new property does not run every game every shift.
Dining and betting
There is a full-service sports-themed restaurant, a quick-serve option called Center Bar, and a dedicated sports betting area.
That is a deliberately lean set of amenities. This is a gaming floor with food attached, not a resort — there is no hotel, no spa and no concert venue.
Tips before you go
You must be 21 to gamble, the minimum age at every Pennsylvania casino.
The single most useful thing to know: check the Penn State football schedule. Beaver Stadium seats over 106,000 people, and on a home Saturday State College absorbs a crowd larger than the town. A casino a few minutes from the stadium behaves accordingly. If you want a calm floor, come midweek.
Being inside a mall has practical upsides — covered parking, and somewhere to go if the floor is packed.
Nearby alternatives
South-east near Harrisburg, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course pairs a larger floor with thoroughbred racing. North-east, Mohegan Pennsylvania serves the Wilkes-Barre area, and further into the Poconos Mount Airy Casino Resort is the full-resort option.
For the full picture, see all Pennsylvania in-person casinos.
FAQ
What are Happy Valley Casino's hours?
The property publishes its own daily schedule, and hours at a new casino are still settling. Confirm on the venue's site before travelling, particularly for late-night visits.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Happy Valley Casino?
You must be 21, the minimum age at every Pennsylvania casino.
When did Happy Valley Casino open?
It opened on 27 April 2026, after clearing regulatory testing that month. It is the first casino in Centre County.
What games are available at Happy Valley Casino?
600 slot machines and 30 table games, with a licence allowing growth to 750 slots and 40 tables. Check the venue's site for the current table schedule.
Does Happy Valley Casino have a hotel?
No. It is a Category 4 satellite casino inside the Nittany Mall, with a sports-themed restaurant, the Center Bar quick-serve outlet and a sports betting area.
Why is Happy Valley Casino's rating lower than other Pennsylvania casinos?
It has been open only since April 2026 and has around 150 reviews — a small sample from a property still working through its opening period. New casinos typically rate below their eventual level in the first year.
Rather play from your couch tonight? See our Pennsylvania sweepstakes rankings.
Updated August 2026 · Details verified against Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board records and the venue's official site. Hours and offerings change — confirm before you go.
