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Minutes after the Hollywood Casino Morgantown opened its doors to the public at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Rod Merrill and his wife, Allison, were parked and ready to check out the place.

Merrill, from nearby Elverson, says he isn’t much of a gambler but wanted to see Wyomissing-based Penn National Gaming’s new casino in Caernarvon Township.

Like many others in the area, Merrill has watched the 81,000-square-foot building rise over the last couple of years from a vacant lot near the intersection of Route 10, Interstate 176 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

“I don’t mind it at all,” he said. “I gamble once a year, so it will now be closer.”

Merrill says he has a system to keep his gaming in check.

“When I gamble, I take in a finite amount of money,” he explained. “If it lasts five minutes, it’s an expensive day. If it lasts an hour, it’s an inexpensive day out.”

A string band greets customers shortly after the Hollywood Casino Morgantown opened for business on Wednesday morning. (EVAN JONES — READING EAGLE)

Following a ceremony featuring company executives, lawmakers, community members and other special guests, a ribbon was cut and the doors opened for several dozen people lined up at one of two public entrances. A string band performed “Fly Eagles Fly” and other upbeat songs as the first customers entered the building.

Patricia Gordon and her small group from West Chester couldn’t wait to see what was inside. Before the pandemic, she would visit the Valley Forge Casino, or places in Atlantic City, N.J., or Maryland.

“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “It’s not too far from where I live, and it’s kind of neat.”

The first customers enter the Hollywood Casino Morgantown shortly after a ribbon cutting Wednesday morning. (EVAN JONES — READING EAGLE)

Features

The $111 million casino has 750 slot machines and 28 table games plus room for 10 more table games, which is the limit allowed for a Category 4 license. There will also be two hybrid games where players can wager with a live feed from table games.

The casino will be open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. on other days.

Besides gaming, the casino will offer a Barstool Sportsbook along with Red Lotus Asian Kitchen and a branch of Tony Luke’s, the iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak stand.

In fact, Tony Luke Jr. himself was there to cut a ceremonial cheesesteak to commemorate the opening. Joining him was Philadelphia Eagles legend Vince Papale, the subject of the Mark Wahlberg film “Invincible.”

Tony Luke Jr., second from right, cuts a ceremonial cheesesteak Wednesday morning at Hollywood Casino Morgantown. The others are, from left, Philadelphia Eagles legend Vince Papale, casino  general manager Marc Guardella and Jay Lattimer, vice president of food & beverage at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. (EVAN JONES — READING EAGLE)

A giant bar just off the middle of the gaming floor, named Bar 76, will feature several local craft beers. Seating for the bar and Tony Luke’s can accommodate about 100 diners. Red Lotus is on the other side of the floor, next to six Asian-themed table games.

Those wishing to smoke and gamble have a room off the casino floor that features 160 slot machines and special climate controls.

Customers who use their cellphones for payments, can use Penn National’s 3C technology, which allows customers to have a cardless, cashless and contactless experience that is already being used at other Hollywood Casinos in Pennsylvania.

A toast

The grand opening ceremony was kicked off with a Champagne toast by Daniel Ihm, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Dauphin County. He mentioned this is the second Category 4 casino Penn National has opened this year. The Hollywood Casino York came online in August.

“Four-and-a-half months ago the Hollywood Casino York opened and it was amazing,” he said with a raised flute, “and we’re here today opening our latest casino in Morgantown. It looked for a moment that we were using a Hollywood movie script: ‘Mission Impossible.’ Thanks to our staff we were able to rewrite it.”

Ihm said he was especially grateful for the effort from the entire Penn National family as the other 43 properties across the company’s footprint all lent a hand in getting the project completed. After receiving approval to build on a vacant 36-acre lot in 2019, the project was delayed several months by the coronavirus pandemic.

Todd George, Penn National’s executive vice president of operations, said getting to the opening has been an incredible journey.

“I want to thank the hardworking team,” he said. “People all over the company came and helped get it done.”

Last weekend, the casino held two test days where invited guests could gamble as Penn National made final checks on the equipment.

All proceeds from those days went to local charities including the United Way of Berks County, the Honey Brook Food Pantry and the Jarett Yoder Foundation, which assists local community heroes in need, including active military personnel, veterans, firefighters, EMTs, first responders and police.

The test raised more than $89,000, which was rounded up by Penn National into a $100,000 check to the organizations.

Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt speaks at the grand opening of the Hollywood Casino Morgantown on Wednesday morning. He is joined by state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Mark Rozzi. (EVAN JONES — READING EAGLE)

‘Economic engine’

Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt said the casino will “drive an economic engine for many. It’s a wonderful entertainment and dining experience.”

State Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, said the opening was a great present for Berks and saluted Caernarvon Township’s support for the project.

“The folks really stood up and understood what it means to the community,” she said. “There were lots of projects (in Berks) over the years that didn’t happen. Guess what? Finally something happened and I’m excited to see it.”

State Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Muhlenberg Township Democrat, said Penn National is a great company.

“Sure, they invest millions for a return on their investments,” Rozzi said. “But they give millions back to the charities and small businesses in the area.”