Philadelphia's Parx Casino Set to Begin Construction on Resort Hotel Project
Philly's Parx Casino, situated about 10 miles north of downtown Philly, near Trenton, NJ, has given a thumbs-up to its long-awaited hotel project.
The Bensalem Township Council gave a nod to Parx's plans for a 13-story hotel with around 300 rooms. The project includes two new eateries and a substantial 14,000 square foot event space. One of the restaurants will be perched on the hotel's rooftop.
Parx's ownership, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, snatched a slots license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board back in 2006, the same year slot machines were legalized at horse racetracks. They opened the venue in December 2006.
With Pennsylvania's gaming landscape expanding to include table games, Parx welcomed live dealers to the casino in 2009. Parx is a slight modification of the racetrack's previous name — Philadelphia Park Racetrack.
Way back in 2000, Parx declared that its development blueprint for the property was built around an on-site hotel. Unlike the other Philly casinos, Parx is the lone exception in the local gaming scene without an on-site hotel.
Parx's focus on drive-in traffic has been more pronounced due to its location, which is closer to Trenton than Philly. Financial constraints and a pandemic delayed Parx's hotel plans until recently.
After years of planning, we're finally ready to make it happen," Parx's attorney, Michael Meginniss, told the Bensalem Township Council. “We're thrilled about it.”
Meginniss shared that construction will start this year, with the hotel projected to be completed in 2025. The Parx hotel will feature a fitness center, spa, coffee spot, guest rooms, event space, and restaurants.
The 13-story structure will offer guest rooms with views of the downtown city skyline. An outdoor event lawn is also a part of the plans. The hotel will be connected to the casino via a covered walkway.
Investing for the Future
Parx was the wealthiest casino in Pennsylvania last year, earning gross gaming revenue (GGR) exceeding $617 million. Parx topped the list of Pennsylvania's 16 brick-and-mortar casinos in terms of land-based GGR.
Parx's iGaming operations added $44.9 million, and the BetParx Sportsbook contributed another $16 million for a combined 2022 GGR haul of approximately $677.9 million.
Meginniss believes the hotel will stimulate further gaming activity at Parx and, eventually, boost the local economy.
We think this move will impact not just the casino but hopefully other businesses and restaurants in the area,” Meginniss explained. “We consider this as part of an ongoing investment in the Bensalem community.”
Recently, Parx expanded its Pennsylvania footprint by launching its satellite casino in Shippensburg. Parx Casino Shippensburg opened last month, boasting 500 slot machines and 48 electronic table games.