Busy week in Pennsylvania gaming news, but much of it about behind the scenes financial plans and adding to the online casino and sports betting market.

Meanwhile, just as sports and sports wagering came back, the Phillies got benched due to positive virus tests for many visiting Marlins players.

Also in PA, one OTB site closed forever, a victim of the virus and changing gambling habits.

While the Cordish Companies Live! Casino brand is new to PA, the privately-held Maryland company is bullish on the Keystone State.

Newly-hired executive VP Joe Billhimer this week told PlayPennsylvania the company hopes to launch its online casino and sportsbook in mid-August. Thats well ahead of its virus-delayed brick and mortar projects, which include amini-casinoin suburbanPittsburgh and a full-sized casino in Philly.

Billhimer also reiterated the news PlayPennsylvaniabroke recently that Live! intends to bid for an available mini-casino license on Sept. 2, with bidding starting at $7.5 million. He declined to name the locations, which must be named as part of the bid.

The current mini-site under construction should open in the fall and the Philly site in early 2021.

The biggest action involving sportsbooks is behind-the-scenes financial scrambling as Golden Nugget, MGM, William Hill, and Rush Street prep to take their online operations public.

Their moves follow the course set by DraftKings earlier in the year. That stock has taken off.

Johnny Avello, director of operations atDraftKings, was jazzed about the return of sports wagering.

Futures betting looked strong. Fans were eager for baseball, which mostly began with three-game series.

And then it turned out the virus also came to the visitors dugout along with the Marlins on their trip to play the Phillies. Plans for the teams remain in limbo as testing continues.

Oaks Race & Sportsbook has closed up shop, a victim of the virus and also likely the advent of online wagering options. A customer service rep told PlayPA by phone that the closing is permanent.

And the South Philadelphia Race & Turf Club, a sister operation also run by Parx Casino just across the street from the coming Live! Philadelphia Casino remains shuttered, but without a word on its ultimate fate.

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PA Gaming Review: Live! Casino Betting Apps, More Gambling Stocks On the Way - Play Pennsylvania