PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Preparations are underway for Philadelphia’s second casino, which is set to open to the public in less than a month next to the stadiums in South Philadelphia. The gaming, hotel, dining and entertainment amenities are expected to have a major impact on the community and the economy.
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is more than 500,000 square feet, and crews continue to work to get the property ready for guests.
Rob Norton, president of the Cordish Gaming Group — the developer of the resort — said $2 billion in economic stimulus is expected to be generated over the next five years.
“And those models assume a non-COVID fully operational environment. It’s expected to draw $2 billion in economic impact to the local community. Over $100 million a year in direct taxes from gaming operations, over 2,000 jobs that will be created right here. A lot of that going to local residents, and minority and women participation. So it’s an incredible stimulus for the city,” he said.
And $25 million of the tax revenue is expected to benefit city schools.
“This will be a part-time job which I am very excited about. Hopefully it could turn into something more,” said Philadelphian Nyia Williams, who is training as a table games dealer.
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, which is still hiring, is expected to open in less than a month.