If you're a US player, especially in the Northeast, you've probably seen ads for Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. It's a massive property right next to the stadiums, but who's actually behind it? The answer isn't a single person, but a major publicly traded gaming corporation that's a huge player across the USA.
The Parent Company: Cordish Companies and Gaming & Leisure Properties
Live Casino Philadelphia is owned and operated by The Cordish Companies, a real estate development firm based in Baltimore. However, the financial structure is a bit more complex. In 2022, Cordish completed a sale-leaseback deal with Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), a real estate investment trust (REIT). This means GLPI now owns the land and physical buildings of Live! Casino Philadelphia, while Cordish continues to run the casino operations under a long-term lease. So, for day-to-day purposes, you're dealing with Cordish, but the underlying real estate asset is owned by GLPI.
Cordish's Gaming Footprint in the US
The Cordish Companies aren't new to gaming. They own and operate several other Live! branded casinos, including the flagship Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland at Arundel Mills and Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. Their model often involves building large-scale entertainment districts around their casinos, which is exactly what they've done in South Philadelphia.
How It Compares to Major Online Casino Operators
It's important to distinguish Live Casino Philadelphia from the big online casino apps. While Cordish runs a physical casino, online giants like BetMGM Casino, DraftKings Casino, and FanDuel Casino are owned by different entities (Entain & MGM Resorts, DraftKings Inc., and Flutter Entertainment, respectively). Pennsylvania law requires online casinos to partner with a physical, licensed casino in the state. Live! Casino Philadelphia's online skin is operated by Bet365 Casino, meaning you can play online under the "Bet365" brand using Live!'s Pennsylvania license.
What This Means for Players in Pennsylvania
Knowing the ownership tells you a few things. Cordish has a reputation for building high-quality, destination-style properties. Their partnership with GLPI provides financial stability. For players, this translates into a well-maintained facility with a vast gaming floor—over 2,100 slots and 150+ live table games. Their rewards program, Live! Rewards, is specific to their properties and doesn't connect to other Pennsylvania casinos like Rivers Philadelphia or Parx Casino. If you're looking for their online offering, you'll need to download the Bet365 app or visit their site, not a "Live! Casino Online" app.
Financials and Market Position
Live! Casino Philadelphia has quickly become a top revenue generator in the state. In 2023, it consistently ranked among the top three casinos in Pennsylvania for total gross gaming revenue (GGR), often competing closely with Wind Creek Bethlehem and Parx Casino. Its prime location next to the Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles), Citizens Bank Park (Phillies), and Wells Fargo Center (Flyers, 76ers) gives it a massive advantage for event-day traffic.
FAQ
Is Live Casino Philadelphia owned by the same people as FanDuel or DraftKings?
No, not at all. Live Casino Philadelphia is owned by The Cordish Companies. FanDuel Casino is owned by Flutter Entertainment (based in Ireland), and DraftKings Casino is owned by DraftKings Inc. They are completely separate, competing companies.
Can I use my Live! Rewards card at other casinos?
No, your Live! Rewards card is only valid at Live! branded properties (Philadelphia and Maryland). It is not part of a wider network like the Caesars Rewards program used at Caesars Palace Online Casino and Harrah's properties.
Who do I contact for online play related to Live! Casino?
For online casino games and sports betting in Pennsylvania under the Live! license, you must contact Bet365 Casino's customer support. Cordish licensed its online operation exclusively to Bet365 in this state.
Is the casino owned by the state of Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania licenses private companies to operate casinos. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulates them. The Commonwealth receives tax revenue, but does not own the casino.
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