Pennsylvania’s Hollywood Casino Reopens After Christmas Closure

Posted on: December 25, 2023, 07:22h. 

Last updated on: December 26, 2023, 11:13h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Pennsylvania’s Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course was temporarily shuttered for about 17 hours starting on Sunday night because of a technical glitch.

It began shortly before 7:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when visitors were asked to leave the gaming property.

It wasn’t until 12:42 p.m. on Monday, midday Christmas, when the Grantville, Pa. casino reported it had reopened and guests were able to return to the gaming complex.

No details were released on what caused the holiday closure. It was blamed on a “technical issue,” according to regional news site PennLive.com.

Whatever the difficulty, PennLive reported it didn’t involve the police. So, law enforcement didn’t have to respond to the casino when the property temporarily shut down.

No details about the shuttering were provided in a sparse social media post.

Although we had briefly closed due to a technical issue, we wanted to confirm the casino is currently open,” the casino’s 12:42 p.m. Facebook post stated.

“Thank you for your patience and have a great day!,” the statement added.

Some visitors complained about the closing, according to social media posts.

Officials further told PennLive the casino had a smaller staff working on the holiday because of Christmas, which apparently made it a slower process to reopen the facility.

The Hollywood Casino had been scheduled to remain open throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The casino’s gaming floor regularly is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The casino floor includes more than 1,750 slot machines, as well as table games such as blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette.

Recent Arrest

In an unrelated incident, a 45-year-old man was arrested earlier this month after he allegedly vandalized an elevator at Hollywood Casino.

The unnamed Harrisburg, Pa. resident lost money while wagering and became angry during his December 9 visit to the gaming property.

In a fit of anger, he walked into the elevator and then repeatedly kicked the elevator doors. The elevator got stuck between floors, trapping him until he could be rescued by Grantville, Pa. firefighters, according to Pennsylvania TV station WHTM.

Authorities didn’t immediately identify his charges.

Prior Fines

Also, last month, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) fined Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course $40K after minors allegedly got onto the gaming floor and gambled during three incidents.

Each of the minors was under the age of 21.

The gaming operator, Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association LLC, was given the fine.