Ground Broken on $164M SugarHouse Casino Expansion

SugarHouse Casino has broken ground on a $164 million expansion, a move that is expected to create more than 700 construction jobs over two years, as well as 500 permanent jobs and millions in economic impact. The casino will more than double in size, from 106,000 square feet to approximately 250,000 square feet. The expansion includes a multipurpose event space with new restaurants, a parking garage and a $2.9 million, dedicated 30-table poker room.

The project will include construction of a seven-story garage at the new West Entrance with direct access to the gaming floor and more than 500 parking spaces, as well as 2,250 feet of landscaped waterfront access with a bike path connecting to the Penn Street Trail.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place at the expansion's future home north of the current facility, along North Delaware Avenue. City officials and community leaders joined executives from SugarHouse at the event.

"This is a game changer," said SugarHouse general manager Wendy Hamilton.

“The expansion will allow the casino to expand beyond a two-dimensional experience, focusing on amenities, such as restaurants, 30,000 square feet of event space and a large poker room.”

The project includes construction of an event space, with a view of the Delaware River; space for up to four new waterfront restaurants with outdoor dining terraces; and a $2.9 million, dedicated 30-table poker room.

The poker room, itself, is projected to generate an estimated $1.8 million in taxes to the city and state, and create 100 jobs (80 of which will be poker dealers).

Once the expansion is complete, approximately 500 permanent full- and part-time jobs will be generated, in addition to the 1,600 construction jobs generated throughout the expansion process.

The new facility will also result in an annual contribution of $1 million to the Penn Treaty Special Services District for economic development in Fishtown and surrounding neighborhoods

New construction will include reserved space for a second story-ballroom, with riverfront views, which is planned for a later phase.