MGM Resorts International is poised to take over and rebrand the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park in Ohio as MGM Northfield Park. MGM purchased the racino, considered the most profitable gaming property in the Buckeye State for $1 billion. The changes should happen sometime this spring.
Patrons of the rebranded casino, whose changes will include a new logo, a number of restaurants, shops and concert venues, can expect “best in class gaming options,” from the new owners, said President and COO Chris Kelley, who declined to give details. “We’re very much in a stay-tuned-for-more-information phase,” he told the Akron Beacon Journal.
The Hard Rock Cafe will transition to the TAP Sports Bar, with sports memorabilia replacing rock music memorabilia. The Fresh Harvest Buffet will become The Buffet in the tradition of the Las Vegas buffet. The Constant Grind will become The Roast Bean. The Hard Rock Live entertainment venue will become the Center Stage.
The racino is located midway between Akron and Cleveland. The state’s racinos are regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission, and Northfield Park facility’s games are limited to lottery-related video lottery terminals (VLTs.)
One change will be that patrons will be able to earn point through the MGM’s M Life Rewards loyalty program that they can use at other MGM properties in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Detroit and internationally.
The Rocksino, due to its affiliation with Hard Rock, has been known for hosting top-end musicians and comedians that appear at its 1,900 seat arena and more modest club. Those books have been handled by Live Nation, which will continue its affiliation with the new owner.
The Rocksino, which sits on 110 acres, is the top grossing among the state’s seven racinos and four casinos and offers 2,300 video lottery terminals. In 2017 the rocksino generated $256 million, compared to the state’s largest casino, the Hollywood Casino Columbus, which generated $227 million.
It has no table games, something that MGM has shown an interest in changing. But that would require the law being changed at the state level.
Kelley said that MGM would look at possibly opening a casino on the property. “We are certainly going to look for opportunities that make sense,” he told the Journal. He added, “This is an exciting time for MGM and the community.”
Kelly added that the casino would be very interested in sports betting if the legislature legalizes it. “We love sports at MGM,” Kelley told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “We would certainly love to participate in that if it is legalized in Ohio.”
He concluded, “MGM Resorts is proud to work alongside the 950 dedicated employees during this transition. MGM Northfield Park is situated in a great location within a vibrant community and offers wonderful amenities – from dining and entertainment venues to gaming, harness racing and retail options.”
