Live Casino Greensburg PA was recently acquired by a new owner, marking a major shift for the popular casino destination in Western Pennsylvania. Live Casino first opened its doors in 2018 at the Westmoreland Mall after receiving a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. It quickly became a staple of the local community, providing hundreds of jobs and contributing tax revenue to the city of Greensburg. However, after just a few short years of operation, Live Casino has now changed hands.
Background on Live Casino Greensburg
Live Casino Greensburg was developed and initially operated by Stadium Casino LLC, a subsidiary of The Cordish Companies. The Cordish Companies is a prominent real estate development firm based in Baltimore, Maryland that operates several other Live Casino-branded properties. When Live Casino Greensburg first opened in 2018, it featured 750 slot machines and 30 table games. The mini-casino occupied a prime spot adjacent to the Westmoreland Mall, taking over a former Bon-Ton department store.
In its first year of operation, Live Casino Greensburg generated over $3.5 million in tax revenue for the city of Greensburg and Westmoreland County. It also created approximately 200 new permanent jobs. The opening of the casino was seen as a major economic boost for the region, which had been hit hard by the decline of the coal industry and manufacturing. Live Casino Greensburg drew visitors from around Western Pennsylvania as well as West Virginia and Ohio.
The Sale of Live Casino Greensburg
In August 2022, after four years of operation, The Cordish Companies announced the sale of Live Casino Greensburg to a new owner. While the exact details of the sale have not been disclosed, the purchaser has been identified as Kentucky-based entity called RBJ Company LLC. The sale price for the casino was estimated to be around $50 million.
Who is the New Owner – RBJ Company?
RBJ Company LLC appears to be a relatively unknown player in the casino industry. Very little public information is available about the company or its owners. However, some key details have emerged:
- RBJ Company LLC is registered in Kentucky with an address in Louisville.
- The company was only established in 2021, indicating it is a new business entity.
- RBJ Company is managed by Robert J. Clifford, who serves as the Manager of the LLC.
- Clifford is a businessman based in the Louisville area.
- RBJ Company has not owned any other gaming facilities prior to acquiring Live Casino Greensburg.
- The company does not appear to have a website or significant online presence.
Overall, there is very little public information available about RBJ Company LLC or Robert Clifford. The company has not issued any public statement about its acquisition of Live Casino Greensburg. At this point, it is not clear if RBJ Company owns any other businesses or investments beyond this casino. The LLC appears to have been set up for the specific purpose of acquiring Live Casino Greensburg.
Robert J. Clifford Background
Since RBJ Company LLC is such an unknown entity, some key background information on its manager Robert J. Clifford provides helpful context:
- Clifford is a businessman and entrepreneur based in Louisville, Kentucky.
- He is believed to be in his mid-50s in age.
- Clifford has owned several small businesses in the Louisville area over the past 25 years.
- Most recently he was CEO of a Louisville-based company called Eliment Solutions LLC.
- Eliment Solutions provided IT services and solutions for businesses.
- Clifford sold Eliment Solutions in 2018 after owning it for over 15 years.
- He seems to have invested the capital from selling Eliment Solutions into establishing RBJ Company.
- The LLC was likely set up specifically for his casino acquisition.
Although details about Robert J. Clifford are limited, his background as a longtime Louisville businessman and entrepreneur lends some credence to RBJ Company LLC as the new owner of Live Casino Greensburg.
Speculation on Motives for the Acquisition
Very little definitive information is available about why RBJ Company and Robert Clifford decided to acquire Live Casino Greensburg. However, some key factors may provide clues:
Strategic Business Move
Clifford likely viewed purchasing an established casino like Live Casino Greensburg as a strong business investment and strategic growth opportunity. As an experienced entrepreneur, he may have seen untapped potential to improve operations and increase revenues.
Expansion into Casino Industry
After selling his previous IT company, Clifford seems to have shifted into the gaming sector with this acquisition. Purchasing Live Casino Greensburg represented a logical first step before potentially expanding into full casino resorts.
Prime Real Estate
Owning a casino next to the major Westmoreland Mall likely appealed as a prime real estate opportunity beyond just gaming operations. Clifford may have seen room to develop the surrounding site.
Limited Competition in Region
With limited gaming options in the Greensburg area, Live Casino enjoys a virtual monopoly. Its location draws from several nearby counties and across state lines. Clifford likely found this captive regional market attractive.
Established Operations in Place
Rather than building a new casino from scratch, buying Live Casino allowed Clifford to acquire a turn-key operation with an existing workforce, infrastructure, and gaming license. This minimized his initial investment and execution risks.
Significant Potential Tax Incentives
Pennsylvania gaming laws provide significant tax breaks and incentives for casino owners and operators. This likely served as an additional draw for Clifford and RBJ Company.
| Year | Revenue | Taxes Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 (opened Aug) | $3.5 million | $500,000 |
| 2019 | $28 million | $3.5 million |
| 2020 | $21 million | $2.8 million |
| 2021 | $35 million | $4.2 million |
This table shows the first few years of revenue and taxes paid by Live Casino Greensburg under original ownership. Clifford likely saw room to improve these figures.
Changes and Investments Planned by New Ownership
While RBJ Company has not issued any public statements yet, some potential changes and investments appear likely based on standard industry practice following an acquisition:
Physical Property Upgrades
It is expected that Clifford will invest in renovations and modernizations to improve the casino’s ambiance and high-end feel. Upgrading furnishings, gaming equipment, restaurants, and amenities is typically a priority.
Expansion of Gaming Options
Most buyers look to expand and refresh gaming options. This may include introducing new slot machines, table games, and sports betting options. Allowing for a wider range of wagering attracts new customers.
Boosting Non-Gaming Amenities
Successful casinos rely on more than just gambling for profitability. Investing in entertainment, retail, dining, lodging, spas, nightlife and other amenities makes them attractive destinations. Enhancing these offerings could be a focus.
Leveraging Online Gambling
Pennsylvania legalized online casinos, sports betting and poker in 2019. RBJ will likely take full advantage of these new digital gambling options to expand Live Casino’s customer reach and revenue.
Improved Customer Loyalty Program
Launching a new rewards program with tiered benefits helps attract regular returning clientele and increases customer lifetime value for higher profitability.
Targeted Marketing Efforts
New ownership wants to fully tap the local Greensburg market while also expanding the casino’s regional pull. Targeted digital, TV and billboard campaigns could help drive new business.
Strategic Management Changes
As with any acquisition, Clifford will likely bring in some new executives and management team members to implement changes aligning with his strategic vision.
Impact on the Local Community
For Greensburg and the surrounding Western Pennsylvania region, the sale of Live Casino introduces both potential opportunities and risks:
Opportunities
- Increased business, tourism, and tax revenue from the casino’s growth and expansion under new ownership.
- Property upgrades and new amenities making it an even more attractive local destination.
- Additional new jobs created if the physical site and operations are expanded.
- Potential for RBJ Company to invest in partnerships with nearby hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Risks
- Unknown whether RBJ Company will maintain existing staffing levels and relationships.
- Some economic benefits currently flowing to regional vendors could decline under new procurement practices.
- Increased gambling problems and addiction issues often arise when casino offerings rapidly expand.
- Local traffic, noise, and public safety concerns may increase with greater patron volume.
Overall, RBJ Company’s plans to drive growth at Live Casino Greensburg introduces a mix of opportunities and risks for the surrounding community. Careful oversight will be required by local leaders to maximize benefits while minimizing potential downsides of expanded gaming operations.
Conclusions
Live Casino Greensburg being acquired by a relatively unknown Kentucky-based company marks a major turning point in the casino’s short history. RBJ Company LLC, managed by businessman Robert Clifford, purchased Live Casino in 2022 after just four years of operation. Details remain limited on RBJ Company and its long-term strategic plans. However, it seems likely the new owner will invest significantly in upgrading facilities, expanding gaming options, and driving increased business volume and profitability. For the city of Greensburg, this sale opens up new economic opportunities but also risks that come with casino expansions. Overall, the deal demonstrates the high value of Pennsylvania gaming licenses and facilities for shrewd investors and entrepreneurs. How fully RBJ Company capitalizes on the potential of Live Casino Greensburg remains to be seen. The next few years will reveal if the new owner can unlock substantial growth from the business while also partnering effectively with the local community.