The 0 million Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Austintown, Ohio had a successful first week and is now looking ahead to begin horseracing on November 24.
The grandstand part of the racino, built and operated by Penn National Gaming, holds 1,000. One hundred days have been set aside for the racing season.
The casino itself has 850 video lottery terminals.
According to a spokesman interviewed by the Vindicator, “Everything thus far has been well-received. We’ve had large crowds, lots of jackpots, no technical issues and outstanding levels of service from all team members to the guests.”
The license for the racino was transferred from Beulah Park in Columbus because Penn didn’t want the racino to be competing against the metropolitan casino resort.
Local government officials from Mahoning County and Austintown Township have praised the opening, which attracted 27,000 people the first day. They left more than $5 million behind them although there was $85,000 in jackpot winnings.
This was the most successful opening of all of the state’s seven racinos when both attendance and money are factored in. The facility was also the last of the racinos to open.
Penn says it may expand the racino in a few years, once the market stabilizes.
