Ohio Racino to Get Upgrade, New Brand Name

Sun, Apr 17, 2016

There’s a new brand name for two casinos and one racino in Ohio. JACK is the name of the gaming company, which was formerly Rock Gaming Inc. Under the new name, Thistledown Racine will get a $70 million upgrade.

Thistledown Racino is now officially JACK Thistledown Racino, as in JACK Entertainment. The North Randall, Ohio racino recently unveiled million in new amenities, including a 1,000 space parking structure, new restaurants and 235 more video lottery terminals.

JACK is formerly Rock Gaming Inc. The Thistledown is the first of its property’s to get the new branding. Next month the Horseshoe Cleveland will become the JACK Cleveland Casino. In June the Horseshoe Cincinnati will do the same, as JACK Cincinnati Casino. The company’s other property in Detroit, Michigan, will become the JACK Detroit Casino-Hotel Greektown in several months.

JACK Entertainment CEO Matt Cullen declared last week, “This investment is consistent with our commitment to the historic Thistledown Racino, to providing our team members with an enjoyable and productive work environment and to offering our guests an exciting racing and gaming experience,” adding “JACK Entertainment is focused on a new level of entertainment for Northeast Ohio and we believe this renovation lives up to that expectation.”

Among the new restaurants are the Millcreek Grille, serving steaks, seafood and pizzas, Nonna Pazza, a quick serve pasta bar and Cleo’s, a sports bar.

JACK also added a new glass grand entrance leading to a “live wall” of 7,000 plants watered by a high tech irrigation system.

Besides slot machines, the racino’s racing thoroughbred season runs for 100 days beginning April 25.

Meanwhile financial reports from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, show that last month the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park raked in $20 million in revenue, making it the highest grossing of all seven racinos and casino resorts in the Buckeye State.

This was the first time the racino topped $19 million for a month since last May.

All other racinos in the state saw increases except for Jack ThistleDown Racino.

It was the Hollywood Casino Toledo’s best month in almost four years, with $18.2 million, a level it has reached only twice before, in June and July of 2012.

The Hollywood Casino Columbus’s revenues were 19 million, a 4 percent increase. They were down 3 percent at the Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati and down 1 percent at the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland.

Statewide casino revenue last month grew by 2 percent to $73.7 million, while it was $78.6 million for the seven racinos, according to the Ohio Lottery Commission.

**GGBNews.com is part of the Clarion Events Group of companies (Clarion). We take your privacy seriously. By registering for this newsletter we wish to use your information on the basis of our legitimate interests to keep in contact with you about other relevant events, products and services which may be of interest to you. We will only ever use the information we collect or receive about you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may manage your preferences or unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails.