HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. —

In 2019, many were skeptical about what Live! Casino would bring to Westmoreland County.

“I saw an old Bon Ton,” Live Casino general manager Sean Sullivan said. “It didn’t look very sexy to me. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, how is this going to work out?’" Advertisement

Many Westmoreland County and state leaders believed the attraction could bring tourism dollars to the state.

The casino opened its doors for the first time in November 2020. It was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We opened, and then a month later, the gaming control board said you have to shut down,” Sullivan said. “We ran out and bought $300,000 worth of plexiglass to put in between our machines.”

Despite an initial hurdle, it didn’t take long for the casino to hit its stride.

“Nobody r

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