GM hired for soon-to-be Hempfield mini casino

Tuesday 11th February 2020

Sean Sullivan, who has worked in the gaming industry for over 40 years, will oversee development along with day-to-day management and operations of the 100,000-square-foot facility dubbed Live! Casino Pittsburgh. Construction for the $150 million project located inside the former Bon-Ton store at Westmoreland Mall started in November.

"As Cordish Gaming Group proudly expands into new jurisdictions, we have made it a priority to hire experts of the highest caliber in the industry to lead our new Live! developments and we have certainly found that with the appointment of Mr. Sullivan," Rob Norton, president of Cordish Gaming Group, said in a news release. "Under his leadership as general manager, we are confident the new Live! Casino will become the premier gaming and entertainment destination in the Pittsburgh market."

Sullivan could not be reached for comment. He previously held several leadership positions, including vice president of special projects at Pinnacle Entertainment in Las Vegas, general manager and vice president at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing, Minn., and general manager at Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington, Pa. He has also held various positions at gaming facilities in Lake Tahoe, Calif. and in Colorado.

The casino, which is slated to open this summer, will feature 750 slot machines and about 30 table games. Restaurant and entertainment venues will be built into the space, including Sports & Social Steel City, a two-level sports restaurant and social lounge with 450 seats.

Officials in November hosted a groundbreaking ceremony featuring local leaders and members of The Cordish Companies, a Maryland-based firm that operates the Live! Casino umbrella.

The project, which will bring 960 direct and indirect construction jobs to the county along with 500 permanent jobs, is expected to generate $188 million in annual economic impact and an additional $148 million in economic impact during construction. Pittsburgh-based Mascaro Construction Co. was hired in October as the general contractor.