Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, the smallest casino resort operated by gambling giant Las Vegas Sands, will have its license extended for five more years after members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the move unanimously this past Wednesday.
The Northampton County-based casino previously had its license renewed in April 2014 or five years after it opened doors.
The seven members of Pennsylvania’s gaming regulator agreed to renew the gambling venue’s license after a public hearing in April. The hearing was held in Bethlehem, the casino’s host municipality. Members of the public were given the opportunity to provide their input, while Sands Bethlehem officials presented different exhibits as well as testimony on the property’s operations since it last had its license renewed.
As mentioned above, Sands Bethlehem originally opened back in 2009. The casino has generated gross gaming revenue of over $4 billion from its slot machines and table games since its launch. The property’s gaming floor currently features more than 3,000 slot machines and 245 table games. Under state gaming laws and the terms of its license from the local gaming regulator, Sands Bethlehem has contributed more than $1.6 billion in tax revenue to Pennsylvania’s coffers.
No Update on Sands Casino Bethlehem Sale
News about Sands Bethlehem having its casino license renewed emerged shortly after the latest developments about previously announced plans for the casino’s sale to Wind Creek Hospitality surfaced. It was back in March 2017 when Las Vegas Sands originally confirmed plans to sell its smallest casino operation.
Reports emerged back then that MGM Resorts International, another casino giant hailing from Las Vegas, had expressed interest in purchasing the Pennsylvania-based property for the total amount of $1.3 billion.
Las Vegas even announced that it would put previously announced expansion plans to a halt as what then seemed to be an imminent transaction was being finalized. It was later on understood that the deal had fallen through.
Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Las Vegas has agreed to sell the casino to Wind Creek Hospitality, the company responsible for the operation of gaming and hospitality properties owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Alabama-based tribe would reportedly buy Sands Bethlehem for $1.3 billion, the same price that circulated across media in relation to the failed MGM deal.
Las Vegas Sands did not provide details about the sale on Wednesday. Local media also reported that the gambling company has not submitted an ownership change with the state gambling regulator. Under Pennsylvania laws, the Gaming Control Board will have to carry out a detailed criminal and financial background check to make sure that Wind Creek Hospitality is suitable to operate casino gaming in the state. The buyer will also have to provide the local gaming watchdog with proof that it is able to pay the purchase price.
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