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.
Ahmed Baker Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games
Bally’s Intralot and Incentive Games Join Forces to Introduce Real-Money Games
Incentive Games, the B2B gaming provider recognized for its data-centric design and unique player experiences, has revealed a new collaboration with Bally’s Intralot, a well-known entity in the global gaming and entertainment sector.
Offered via Incentive Studios, the real-money gaming segment of Incentive Games, this partnership will present a collection of real-money games to Bally’s Intralot brands and their players.
The collaboration signifies an exhilarating advancement for both firms, merging Incentive Studios’ proficiency in top-performing real-money content with Bally’s Intralot premier platform and worldwide presence.
Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, said, “Our real-money portfolio is designed to deliver both entertainment and strong commercial performance. Partnering with Bally’s Intralot gives us the opportunity to showcase our unique approach on a global stage, and we’re thrilled to be working alongside such a talented team.”
Dezso Pazmany, Director of Product Operations at Bally’s Intralot said, “I’m thrilled for our launch with Incentive Studios, their exciting and innovative games will be a great addition to our portfolio. It’s amazing to be able to deliver fresh and engaging experiences to our players.”
Earlier this year, the initial games from Incentive Studios’ collection debuted on the Bally’s Intralot platform, with additional titles expected to arrive in 2026.
This collaboration furthers Incentive Games’ reach into regulated global markets — building on recent license approvals in the UK, Ontario and Michigan — and highlights the firm’s increasing status as a reliable real-money gaming provider.
The post Bally’s Intralot and Incentive Games Join Forces to Introduce Real-Money Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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.
-
BIG Cyber7 days agoBMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SPONSOR AND EXHIBIT AT SBC RIO 2026 MARCH 3–5 AT RIOCENTRO, RIO DE JANEIRO
-
Latest News7 days ago
Ceuta refuerza su apuesta por el Juego en Interazar, la gran Feria española del Sector
-
AdmiralBet Serbia6 days ago
Digitain Enters into Multi-Vector Collaboration with AdmiralBet Serbia
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Crypto.com Receives Limited Financial Institutions Licence in Europe
-
Carlos Freitas6 days ago
Hölle Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Novibet
-
ELA Games4 days ago
“Patrick’s Treasure Pots”: Hunt for the Pot of Gold in ELA Games’ Celtic Adventure
-
Africa5 days ago
VeliGames Secures SiGMA Africa’s Industry Rising Star Award
-
HAPPY MONEY HENS4 days ago
INSPIRED UNVEILS HAPPY MONEY HENS™, GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE SUPER WHEEL™ & GOLD CASH FREE SPINS RISING WINS™ ACROSS ONLINE & MOBILE
