Philadelphia Casino Evacuated After Bomb Threat

Posted on: February 20, 2025, 09:31h.

Last updated on: February 20, 2025, 09:54h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

No bomb was found
Guests, employees were forced to leave
Normal operations resume
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Rivers Casino Philadelphia was evacuated on Thursday morning after a bomb threat. The threat turned out to be unfounded, according to local media reports.

The incident was reported to local police at about 5:30 a.m. No bomb was found and the casino resumed normal operations.

Two men were questioned following the threat, according to Philadelphia TV station WPHL. There’s no word on if they were charged in connection with the incident.

Early reports revealed that someone called in an unspecified threat to authorities, according to Pennsylvania radio station KYW. At least a dozen police officers responded initially.

Dogs Search Gaming Property

Philadelphia police didn’t send their bomb squad to the casino but the property was searched by Pennsylvania State Police and specially trained police dogs.

As of 7 a.m., police officers were still preventing guests and employees from entering the casino, according to local reports. Several police cars responded and were parked at the casino entrance.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia was briefly evacuated this morning out of an abundance of caution while police checked the building,” according to a statement released by the casino. “The property was determined to be safe, and team members and guests returned soon thereafter. The casino is open and operating today as usual.”

The casino, previously known as SugarHouse Casino, is in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood near the Delaware River. It features 1,521 slot machines, 72 table games, and 28 poker tables. A sportsbook includes 33 self-service betting kiosks and six betting windows. The property includes a 1,300,000-square-foot casino complex on 22 acres.

In December 2023, Rivers Casino debuted Riversuites Hotel at The Battery Philadelphia. The 62-room all-suite facility is part of The Battery, a mixed-use complex inside a former power plant.

In addition to 62 guest rooms, the 500K-square-foot Battery has 171 residential apartments, office space, a lobby bar, an indoor gym, coworking space, a rooftop pool, a library and study, and a golf simulator.