BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Wind Creek Casino appears to be on a glidepath to its state gaming license after a hearing in Bethlehem Wednesday where representatives from Pa. State police and the Gaming Control Board testified that nothing should stand in the way.
During the hearing, casino officials touted plans for more than $15 million in improvements during the 2024 fiscal year, with millions more of additional spending in 2025 including three new restaurants, a new weapon detection system and plans to renovate the hotel’s South Tower.
Work is underway to develop a new master plan for the former Bethlehem Steel land near the casino, with several feasibility studies underway, said Wind Creek spokeswoman Julia Corwin.
Wind Creek’s gaming license, which allows the casino in Bethlehem’s South Side to operate, must be renewed by the state Gaming Control Board every five years.
Members of the board reevaluate whether the casino complies with state regulations and is a good neighbor to the community which hosts it.
Wednesday’s public input hearing, the first in a two-step process, serves to collect evidence and testimony from casino management, regulators and members of the community to guide the board’s decision.
A second hearing in Harrisburg in the next few months will allow Wind Creek representatives to offer additional evidence and argue that they deserve to operate for another five years.
Gaming compliance officers with the control board and Pa. State police testified Wednesday that in the course of their work making sure Wind Creek follows state law, they saw no reason to deny the casino an extension.
That is not to say the last five years have been flawless for Wind Creek.
Since its last licensing hearings, Wind Creek has received 43 warning letters and one demand letter from the Gaming Control Board, and has also been subject to four board-approved consent agreements.
One consent agreement, announced in May, levied a $125,000 fine for ten incidents in which underage people gained access to the casino floor.
The regulatory issues at Wind Creek are broadly similar to what other casinos in the region experience, said Lauren Sposato, a casino compliance officer with the control board.
“Minors being left unattended is definitely something that not only the board but the whole Gaming Commission was definitely taking up a charge on, you guys have invested in different areas, and we’re seeing the numbers reducing.”Nedia Ralston
Wind Creek’s biggest challenge, she said, was preventing guests from leaving minors unattended in places like the complex’s food court.
Gaming control board member Nedia Ralston praised casino management for improving when it comes to unaccompanied minors, including for stepped-up security patrols and new signage making clear that anyone under 18 cannot be left alone.
“Minors being left unattended is definitely something that not only the board but the whole Gaming Commission was definitely taking up a charge on,” she said. “You guys have invested in different areas, and we’re seeing the numbers reducing.”
This is Wind Creek’s first license renewal since buying the casino in South Bethlehem, then called Sands.
Wednesday’s hearing was originally scheduled for June 26, but was rescheduled after severe storms knocked out power to City Hall.
Capital Spending
During the hearing Wednesday, representatives for Wind Creek laid out plans for recent capital spending, including three new restaurants coming to the property’s food court: a Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Starbucks Coffee.
Also in the works are a $3 million carpet upgrade, renovations to the casino gift shop and plans to renovate the hotel’s South Tower to better complement the recently completed North Tower addition.
Earlier this year, Wind Creek’s security department bought new license plate readers to track drivers coming in and out of the property, along with new infrared and thermal cameras to help find kids left unattended in cars.
After a successful weekend-long trial period in May, Wind Creek has ordered weapon detection systems that will be up and running in early 2025.
In all, Wind Creek plans to spend $15.1 million on new capital projects in the 2024 fiscal year, supported by gaming revenue that has exceeded pre-pandemic receipts.
“We strongly support the relicensing of Wind Creek.”ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert
Representatives for several Bethlehem nonprofit groups which receive funding from Wind Creek lined up behind the casino’s effort to renew their gaming license.
“Wind Creek, previously the Sands, has been a strong supporter of artsquest and many other nonprofits in Bethlehem and the broader region,” said ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert. “We strongly support the relicensing of Wind Creek.”
