Bally's
Bally’s Withdraws from Nittany Mall Casino Project
Bally’s and SC Gaming announced the termination of their agreement to open and operate a Category 4 satellite casino near Penn State University at the Nittany Mall. Despite the split, the project remains on track to open in the first half of 2026.
The decision comes three years after the two companies agreed to develop a “mini casino” in what was previously a Macy’s department store at the Nittany Mall, located just five miles from Penn State’s campus. Originally, Bally’s wasn’t eligible to bid on the license when the auction was held four years ago. Ira Lubert, the sole owner of SC Gaming, was eligible due to his stake in Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, won the bid, and later partnered with Bally’s. The plan was that the gaming venue would bear Bally’s regional casino operator brand.
However, amidst Bally’s shifting corporate priorities, the agreement fell through. Lubert has made it clear to state regulators that he has the financial resources to advance the project on his own.
“As a part of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s application and approval process, I demonstrated to the Board my resources and capability to independently develop and operate this casino project without reliance on a third party, including Bally’s,” Lubert said in a statement.
Lubert’s experience includes the development of the Valley Forge Casino Resort during the global financial crisis, and he holds a 3% stake in Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.
When Bally’s and SC Gaming decided to team up on the Pennsylvania mini casino three years ago, the project aligned with Bally’s prior ventures. Since then, however, Bally’s has rapidly shifted its focus toward larger, more expensive developments in major cities. The company’s new priorities include developing a permanent gaming venue in Chicago, which will be its most expensive project to date. Additionally, Bally’s is pursuing a license in the New York City area and still holds the operating rights for Tropicana Las Vegas.
While the future of the Tropicana site remains uncertain and there are no guarantees Bally’s will secure a downstate permit in New York, the Chicago venture alone demands significant attention. This suggests that shedding smaller projects, such as the Pennsylvania mini casino, could be a prudent move at this time.
In July, Bally’s agreed to be acquired by Standard General, the hedge fund that is the gaming company’s largest shareholder. This development wasn’t on the table three years ago when Bally’s agreed to work with SC Gaming on the Nittany Mall casino.
Prior to accepting the takeover offer from Standard General, some shareholders criticized Bally’s for becoming financially strained and focusing too heavily on expensive projects in Chicago, Las Vegas, and New York. Some investors argued that abandoning some or all of these projects could lead to cost savings.
Although specific cost efficiencies from exiting the Pennsylvania mini casino partnership weren’t quantified, the move aligns with Bally’s new vision. With Chairman Soo Kim, the founder of Standard General, likely taking a larger day-to-day role in Bally’s operations, more cost-cutting measures may follow, but that remains to be seen. It is clear, however, that the Nittany Mall casino didn’t fit with Bally’s renewed strategic goals.
“The termination of the framework agreement aligns with Bally’s long-term strategic goals and allows the company to allocate resources towards other priorities. Bally’s remains confident in its ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing market,” the company said in a press release.
Amy Brewis Head of Account Management at Realistic Games
Realistic Games strengthens UK presence with Bally’s collaboration
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Realistic Games, the casino content developer, has joined forces with global entertainment powerhouse Bally’s Interactive, further reinforcing its foothold in the UK’s regulated iGaming market.
Through the agreement, Bally’s Interactive has integrated a selection of Realistic’s standout titles into its platforms.
The initial rollout features Book of Bass, Catch 22: Frozen Fortune, and recent hits such as 9 Rhino Fast Fire, Emerald Frenzy, and Phantom Tides.
This collaboration comes amid a period of strong commercial momentum for Realistic Games, driven by a number of recent partnerships. Together, these deals highlight the developer’s continued growth trajectory and commitment to delivering high-quality content to regulated markets.
Amy Brewis, Head of Account Management at Realistic Games, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bally’s Interactive, a global leader in the casino industry. This strategic alliance enables us to accelerate our expansion in the UK’s regulated market and bring our exciting titles and growing roadmap, to a broader audience.
“We remain confident that our current lineup and the titles yet to come, will resonate strongly with players and support Bally’s ambition to deliver an unforgettable digital entertainment experience.”
Dezso Pazmany, Director of Product Operations at Bally’s Interactive, said: “We’re delighted to join forces with Realistic Games, whose growing portfolio is a strong fit for our UK audience. Their engaging content aligns well with our commitment to delivering exceptional player experiences across our platforms.
“At Bally’s, we’re focused on collaborating with forward-thinking content providers that share our vision for exceptional player experiences. We’re confident this partnership will deliver strong results and further elevate our digital entertainment strategy in key regulated markets.”
The post Realistic Games strengthens UK presence with Bally’s collaboration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The New York City Council has rejected Bally’s land-use rezoning proposal for its planned $4 billion Bronx casino.
The City Council voted 29-9, with four abstentions, against gaming giant Bally’s request to rezone parkland for commercial use at the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point property it operates in the Bronx. The move effectively ended Bally’s shot to secure the required land use and other zoning approvals needed for winning a casino license. The motion to disapprove of Bally’s request was put forward by Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato.
The proposed $4 billion Bally’s Bronx hotel and casino resort, totaling more than 3 million square feet, was planned for roughly 16 acres of parking lots and the practice green area at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. The complex’s design includes a 500,000-square-foot casino with 3500 gaming machines and 250 table games, a 500-room upscale hotel and a 2000-person event center.
Bally’s, in its official application filed in late June with the New York State Gaming Commission, called Bally’s Bronx a “once-in-a-generation” investment. “This development represents an audacious vision to develop a former landfill and transform it into an economic engine for the Bronx — the borough’s single largest private development.”
Without Bally’s in the running, the field of New York casino contenders narrows to seven. Three developers previously ended their plans, including the $12 billion Hudson Yards West casino proposal from Related Cos., Oxford Properties and Wynn Resorts. The group dropped its bid following strong community opposition.
Three casino licenses are available for the downstate region that includes New York City. A viable bidder would have to secure a two-thirds majority vote from a community advisory committee before a proposal could advance to the next round and be considered by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which will make its final decision by Dec. 1. In addition to a $1 million filing fee, the teams selected would each have to pay a $500 million license fee while also meeting the requirement of a $500 million minimum capital investment.
If none of the bids secures enough committee votes, the state will not issue any licenses.
The post NYC Council Rejects Bally’s $4B Bronx Casino Bid appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Hasbro, a leading games, IP, and toy company, announced a new slate of multi-year licensing partnerships aimed at transforming and expanding its most popular brands across the casino category. After a comprehensive review and market evaluation, Hasbro has selected Aristocrat Technologies, Evolution, Galaxy Gaming, and Bally’s as its newest partners in casino licensing. The new partners join existing licensee Sciplay.
The announcement underscores Hasbro’s “Playing to Win” strategy, revealed in February 2025, which focuses on innovation, partnerships, and bringing beloved brands to life across more formats than ever.
“We’re all about play—and that means meeting our fans wherever they are, from the game table to the casino floor. These visionary new partners have the expertise and imagination to reimagine our brands in bold, exciting ways for adult audiences,” said Claire Hunter Gregson, Director of Gaming Relationships.
Hasbro has a nearly 30-year history of licensing its age-appropriate IP to the gambling sector. With this new lineup of partners, the company is expanding access to entertainment experiences that reimagine its brands for a growing base of adult fans and gamers.
Following is the list of partners:
• Aristocrat Technologies – B2B manufacturer land-based slot machines (MONOPOLY)
• Evolution – B2B developer for online slots and live casino (MONOPOLY, Hasbro Games)
• Galaxy Gaming – B2B developer and manufacturer for casino table games (MONOPOLY, YAHTZEE, BATTLESHIP)
• Bally’s – B2C Online casino operator (MONOPOLY)
With new titles launching in January 2026, adult fans will see some of Hasbro’s beloved brands integrated into new and existing casino formats, including land-based gaming slots, online gaming slots, casino table games, and online casinos.
The post Hasbro Strikes New Multi-Year Casino Licensing Partnerships appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
243 Chili7 days agoTom Horn Gaming Turns Up the Heat with 243 Chili
-
BETER7 days ago
BETER joins forces with Entain CEE in major content deal
-
Crown Strike: Hold and Win7 days ago
Playson unveils new reel layout in Crown Strike: Hold and Win
-
Amusnet6 days ago
Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with Mr Bit
-
Clarion gaming7 days ago
‘The voice of Spain’s gaming community will be at the very heart of ICE Barcelona 2026’ states Clarion Gaming’s Ewa Bakun
-
Andrew Rhodes6 days ago
UKGC Publishes Second Annual Report from Gambling Survey for Great Britain
-
Central Europe6 days agoSOFTSWISS Sets the Stage for 2026 iGaming Trends at SiGMA Central Europe 2025
-
Belatra6 days ago
Week 40/2025 slot games releases
