A year ago, the ribbon was cut at the grand opening of Parx Shippensburg. To mark the occasion of its first anniversary, the mini-casino is donating US$100,000 to local NGOs. The donations will be presented to recipients at a luncheon in the casino’s Liberty Pub & Grill.
A successful year
The mini-casino in Shippensburg has had a good year and is in a position to give back to the community. It is owned by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc., which also owns Parx Casino in Bensalem. This is the flagship casino of the Parx brand that not only has a land-based casino but also offers the popular betPARX online gambling app.
Potential of a mini-casino
The mini-casino In Shippensburg is 73,000 sq. ft. compared to the 150,000 sq. ft. of gaming space at Parx in Bensalem. It may be much smaller but has all the same elements as the larger casino.
Visitors can play 500 slot machines, and the mini-casino has been consistent in its slot revenue over the years. It brings in about $2.6 million a month. There are also 48 electronic table games. At betPARX kiosks, gamblers can place bets on their favorite sports.
Recipients of the funds
The Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce will be the largest recipient at $31,000. Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Community Connections will each receive $15,000. The Shippensburg Police Foundation and EMS will each receive $10,000. CV Hose and West End Fire and Rescue will each receive $5,000. Various other recipients will receive $2,500 or $2,000.
Shippensburg University
The Shippensburg area is well known for the local public university. Shippensburg University is only about six minutes away from Parx Shippensburg. The university was well prepared for the opening of the casino. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) gave it a grant to help educate students about responsible gambling.
The university benefits indirectly from the donations made by Parx Shippensburg as they help to uplift the local community and keep services running smoothly. The university also takes up land, reducing the local tax base, and the casino helps to make up for this.
Making a difference
Non-profit organizations and charities in the local community will make good use of the funds. They will be able to extend more services to the Shippensburg community. When it comes to corporate social responsibility, there are many top brands doing CSR activities successfully today and making a difference in local communities.
Parx Shippensburg is helping to create strong brand awareness as it proves to be an economic boom in the area. It provides a new funding stream for cash-strapped non-profit organizations and emergency services.