Pennsylvania will be getting its 17th casino on Friday, but for gamblers unfamiliar with the 21st century casino floor, it might take a while getting used to it.
The latest Pennsylvania casino, which is categorized as a mini-casino, will be in the college town of Shippensburg in Cumberland County, about 145 miles west of Philadelphia.
The Parx Casino Shippensburg is minutes from Exit 29 off I-81. The Shippensburg Parx is a mid-state outpost of the Parx Pennsylvania casino brand that has a full-sized casino in Bensalem, Bucks County, in Philadelphia’s northeast suburbs.
Defining ‘Mini-Casino’
While there’s a category of “mini-casino” in Pennsylvania, which the Parx Casino Shippensburg apparently falls into, the fact is that at 73,000-square feet it will be larger than some of the early Atlantic City casinos that opened in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
And remember: Pennsylvania online casinos are also legal in the state.
The Parx Casino Shippensburg will feature 500 slots and 48 electronic table games, and it’s some of the table games (called e-tables) that might take some getting used to for some customers.
The Shippensburg casino website advertises some of its table games as “stadium” blackjack, “stadium” roulette, and “stadium” three-card poker.
Stadium blackjack is described on the casino website this way: “This action-packed hybrid gaming experience gives the opportunity to wager with just the touch of a finger. Each player has their own electronic betting terminal and will be given the opportunity to place a blackjack wager along with (several optional side bets).”
Similarly, stadium roulette and stadium three-card poker have players using electronic terminals rather than standing or sitting at old-time, felt-covered gaming tables with actual chips. Despite all the gadgetry, the casino’s website says that there still will be live dealers dealing real cards and spinning a real roulette wheel.
The casino was granted its license for a Category 4 casino last January by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PCGB).
Sports Betting Available as Well
With Pennsylvania sports betting legal, patrons will find a handful of sports wagering kiosks in the Shippensburg casino.
In addition to the 21st century gaming floor, the Shippensburg Parx will have a 100-seat restaurant featuring casual fare, some platters and various pizzas.
The casino is a non-smoking facility with smoking permitted at an attached outdoor smoking patio. Self-parking is free.
Operating hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 24 hours, and Sunday, open until 2 a.m.
PennStakes.com is your main source for casino news in the state and for Pennsylvania casino bonus codes.
