Nittany Mall Site as Pennsylvania’s Next Casino?

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Wednesday opened bids for a new mini-casino license and the successful bidder was Ira Lubert, a Philadelphia investor, a member of the Penn State trustees and a former Nittany Lion wrestler.

Lubert’s bid of $10,000,101 was the highest received at the bid opening. According to a philly.com story, the most likely location is the NIttany Mall in College Township. Lubert two years ago had been listed as a member of Nittany Gaming LLC, the firm having obtained an option lease at a former Nittany Mall department store. Lubert has until 4 p.m. Friday to pay the state for the license.

He still must go through a formal application process to receive the license. A “mini-casino” may have up to 700 slot machines. Lubert is listed as a principal owner for casinos in Pittsburgh and Valley Forge, outside Phiadelphia.

Lubert is chairman and co-founder of Independence Capital Partners and Lubert Adler Partners.