Philadelphia’s planning commission has approved the
construction of the Live! Hotel & Casino, which will be located within
walking distance of the city’s football stadium, ballpark and arena.
The project still needs final approval from the Pennsylvania
Gaming Control Board.
The casino is slated to have 2,000 slot machines and more
than 125 table games. A 19-story boutique hotel with spa is planned.
The developers are Baltimore-based Cordish Cos. and Greenwood
Racing. Cordish developed Philadelphia’s Xfinity Live! entertainment/dining
district, which also is near the pro sports venues. Greenwood owns Parx Casino &
Racing in Bensalem, a Philadelphia suburb. That casino opened in 2006.
Philadelphia’s first casino, the SugarHouse Casino, opened
in 2010.
The Harrah’s Philadelphia, a racino that opened in 2007, is
in nearby Chester, Pa. Valley Forge Casino Resort opened in 2012 in Upper
Merion Township, also a Philadelphia suburb.