The fifth racino to open in Ohio, the 0 million Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center opened Thursday, May 1, near Cincinnati at the site of the former River Downs Racetrack. The facility offers the only turf track in Ohio plus a one-mile dirt track. Live racing will start May 8.
On the casino side, the 48,000 square foot operation will offer 1,500 video lottery terminals plus a buffet, sports bar and steakhouse, and will employ 700 people.
The racino is located in Anderson Township on the Ohio River just off Interstate 275 on the Kellogg corridor, which already attracts more than 1 million visitors to Coney Island amusement park and Riverbend Music Center.
Officials at Pinnacle Entertainment, owners of Belterra, said the company built 17 new barns with 1,020 stalls, a new paddock, jockey’s quarters and a maintenance building. In addition, terracotta horse head statues from the original River Downs grandstand are displayed on the lower level of the grandstand and track memorabilia are be showcased in the River Downs Club.
Ohio’s final two racinos will open this fall. Both will be built and operated by Penn National Gaming Inc. Hollywood Gaming at the Dayton Raceway, located on the former site of an automotive plant, will open in October. Hollywood Gaming at Hamoning Valley Race Course in Aurtintown Township will open in November.
