statement by dan kennedy, vice president & general manager, on the reopening of hollywood gaming at dayton raceway
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway 777 Hollywood Blvd, Dayton, Ohio Stats Table games: – Gaming machines: 1000 Poker tables: – 24/7: Yes Parking: Yes Valet: Yes Casino sq/ft: 190,000 sq/ft Convention sq/ft: – Amenities Poker Room: – Hotels: Dayton Hotels Rates: – Spas: – Venues: The H Lounge & Sky Box Sports Bar Attractions: Dayton.
- Some Ohio casinos also offer mini-baccarat, baccarat, poker, pai gow poker, Mississippi stud, sic-bo, let it ride, three card poker, four card poker, casino war, big-six and bingo. NOTE: If you happen to win a jackpot of $1,200 or more at any casino in Ohio, they will withhold approximately 5% of your winnings for the Ohio Department of Taxation.
- Find casinos gambling in Dayton, OH on Yellowbook. Get reviews and contact details for each business including videos, opening hours and more.
While the amenities our customers have come to know and love may be somewhat limited for the time being, the ability to safely welcome back our team members and guests remains our top priority. With this in mind, we have been working closely with the Ohio Lottery Commission, state and local leaders, and public health officials to finalize comprehensive Phase I reopening protocols and new health and safety precautions. Our returning team members will be trained on these procedures and our guests will see reminder signage about them throughout the property. These new protocols include, but are not limited to, the following:
Social Distancing
- We are limiting capacity on our gaming floor to no more than 50% of our maximum occupancy.
- The installation of floor decals and signage to strictly enforce social distancing guidelines in areas where lines typically form.
- Gaming machines and simulcast are configured to meet social distancing requirements.
- Convention and banquet services are suspended.
- There will be no large drawings, tournaments, or special events.
- Take 2 restaurant is open with limited hours. The H-Lounge is also open with drinks and prepackaged sandwiches.
- Skybox is open for carryout only.
- The Gift Shop and valet are also closed.
Health & Safety
- The property will close daily 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. in compliance with Governor Dewine's statewide curfew order. Please check back often for updates to our hours of operation. Please note, that guests will not be allowed to enter the property after 9:30 p.m. daily.
- Team members and vendors are required to wear masks and will undergo a health screening each day, including temperature checks, prior to their shift.
- Starting at 8 a.m. on July 3, guests will be required to wear masks in accordance with the City of Dayton Mask Ordinance.
- Gaming machines are thoroughly and regularly cleaned throughout the day.
- Sanitizer stations are installed on the gaming floor and are readily available throughout the facility.
- We will close the facility for a period of time during the week for a deep cleaning of the gaming floor.
We are grateful for the overwhelming support, patience, and understanding from our customers through these unprecedented time.
Racino
Racino is now open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Please note that guests will not be allowed to enter the property after 9:30 p.m. daily.
Select VLTs have been placed out of service to maintain social distancing.
Valet service is unavailable.
Masks
All team members and vendors are required to wear masks.
Guests are required to wear masks in accordance with the City of Dayton Mask Ordinance starting at 8 a.m. on July 3.
Promotions and Offers
Eligible players will begin to receive offers in the coming weeks.
We will begin transitioning to contactless communication. Make sure you have a valid email address with us for you mychoice.com account.
Bars and Restaurants
Take 2 and H-Lounge are open.
Skybox is open for carryout only.
Entertainment
Live Entertainment is back! Check out some local DJs at the H Lounge on Fridays and Saturdays.
Racing
Simulcast is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Every other betting machine has been removed to promote social distancing
Seats are open to the public but limited. They are available first come/first serve, no reserved seating.
Lottery Tickets
We are currently cashing winning Ohio Lottery tickets from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., daily.
What are your hours of operations?
The property will close daily 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. in compliance with Governor Dewine's statewide curfew order. Please note that guests will not be allowed to enter the property after 9:30 p.m. daily. Please check back often for updates to our hours of operation.
Do I need to wear a mask to enter?
Starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 3 guests will be required to wear masks upon entering in accordance with the City of Dayton Mask Ordinance.
Will there still be promotions and offers?
Eligible guests may receive free play offers in the coming weeks. As we transition to contactless communication, make sure we have a valid email address for your mychoice account. All promotions scheduled for March and April were cancelled unless otherwise stated as postponed.
What is contactless communication?
Contactless communication is the safest way for us to inform you of upcoming offers, promotions, and special events. We will be providing a majority of these update via email. To link your email address to your mychoice account, visit www.mychoice.com and update your account OR you can visit the mychoice center upon your next visit to ensure we have your email address.
Will my Free Play from March or April be available?
All March and April offers have expired, to ensure you receive the latest information, make sure we have your email address. Any previously earned mycash is available and will not be expiring at this time.
Will my my card, mycash, or tier level be expired when I come back?
No. Your mychoice card and mycash will both be valid. Your tier level will be the same as before we were ordered to close on March 16, 2020. Though your mychoice card may show an expiration date of 3/31/2020 you DO NOT need to get a new card printed, it will still work just as it did prior to the COVID-19 closure.
What dining outlets and bars are open?
Take 2 and H-Lounge are open.
Skybox is open for carryout only.
Can I play the VLTs?
Yes. Select VLTs will be out of service to maintain social distancing. Guests may not sit at machines that are turned off or move chairs. VLT attendants will still be available to pay jackpots and service your machine.
What about concerts and live entertainment?
Live entertainment is back! Check out some local DJs at the H Lounge on Fridays and Saturdays. Updates on entertainment can be found on our website under the entertainment tab.
How can I stay safe inside the racino?
Social distancing protocols will be enforced inside all areas of the facility. Signage will be displayed to show you where to stand and what is opened and closed. Any area that may have high traffic or touch points will be sanitized regularly and the whole facility will be deep cleaned over-night.
Will you be serving alcohol on the racino floor?
Yes.
Can I cash in my lottery tickets at the racino?
We are currently cashing winning Ohio Lottery tickets from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., daily.
Will you have fireworks this year?
No.
I received a cruise certificate at a party earlier in the year, can I still redeem it?
While the cruise industry is struggling we are confident they would be happy to hear from you for a booking. Please contact the Norwegian Cruise Line directly at 1-877-571-6980.
Will Hollywood Gaming be having the tier renewal parties?
We currently do not have tier renewal parties on the calendar but hope to be able to celebrate your tier level when we can safely do so.
I previously had a host, do I still have one?
We will be calling hosts back based on business needs. You can ask for any host on duty and they would be happy to help you.
Am I still able to get comps from my host?
Yes. Comps are based on play and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Introduction to Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Ohio slot machine casino gambling consists of eleven casinos. Magic merlin spellbound slot machine. Four are stand-alone casinos with table games while seven casinos are pari-mutuel racinos with horse tracks and simulcast betting.
Ohio casinos have a minimum theoretical payout limit. Return statistics are publicly available.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. When will online poker start in pa. state, territory, or federal district.
Keep Reading … or Watch Instead!
Or … Listen Instead!
Subscribe to my Professor Slots podcast at Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Amazon Audible | Gaana | Stitcher | Pandora | iHeart Radio | Tune-In | SoundCloud | RadioPublic | Deezer | RSS and everywhere else you find your podcasts!
Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Ohio*
The minimum legal gambling age in Ohio depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
In 1933, an approved constitutional amendment legalized pari-mutual wagering at racetracks. The 1970s saw the arrival of the lottery and charity bingo. Social poker games have always existed, but the house must not profit from the game.
The original operators of Ohio's four stand-alone casinos backed a proposed constitutional amendment. In November 2009, 52% of voters approved the constitutional amendment allowing one casino in the cities of:
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Toledo
In addition to the usual fees and taxes imposed on Ohio businesses, the constitutional amendment required or specified:
- A 33% tax on gross casino revenue
- Distribution of the proceeds of the tax
- A license fee of $50 million per casino dedicated to workforce development
- An initial capital investment of $250 million for the development of each casino facility
- The existence of the Ohio Casino Control Commission
- The Ohio General Assembly would pass other laws to facilitate the operation of the casino gaming amendment
- A maximum of 5,000 slot machines at each casino facility
- There is no limit on the number of table games allowed
Subsequent changes in state lottery legislation allowed pari-mutual racetracks to begin offer video lottery terminal (VLT) style slot machines in 2012. Problem gambling a new zealand perspective on treatment. These were the first racinos in Ohio.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Ohio
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Ohio without restriction as to its date of manufacture.
Gaming Control Board in Ohio
In 2009, a constitutional amendment created the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Its website is comprehensive but only applies to slot machine casino gambling at Ohio's four stand-alone casinos.
In 1973, a constitutional amendment established the Ohio Lottery Commission. The Ohio Lottery eventually became responsible for and controls video slot machines found at Ohio's seven racinos. These pari-mutuel racetracks began adding VLT-style slot machines starting in 2012.
The state gaming commission offers significant resources for slots enthusiasts besides return statistics. For instance, enforcement provides quarterly and fiscal year gaming crimes and statistics including offenses by statute.
Casinos in Ohio
There are four commercial casino resorts and seven commercial pari-mutuel racetracks with simulcast betting as well as slot machines in Ohio.
The largest casino in Ohio is Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs with 2,386 gaming machines in February 2020.
The second-largest casino is MGM Northfield Park with 2,183 gaming machines in February 2020.
Commercial Casinos in Ohio
The four casino resorts in Ohio are:
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati found in downtown Cincinnati located 106 miles southwest of Columbus along the Ohio River near the borders of Kentucky and Indiana.
- Hollywood Casino Columbus in Ohio's capital of Columbus.
- Hollywood Casino Toledo found 140 miles north of Columbus near the border to Michigan.
- JACK Cleveland Casino found 144 miles northeast of Columbus near Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland.
The seven pari-mutual racetracks with VLT-style slot machines in Ohio are:
- Belterra Park found 10 miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati on the Ohio River.
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs found 11 miles south of downtown Columbus.
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway found 59 miles north of Cincinnati.
- Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown found 68 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall found 16 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- MGM Northfield Park found 18 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon found 30 miles north of Cincinnati.
Live Entertainment is back! Check out some local DJs at the H Lounge on Fridays and Saturdays.
Racing
Simulcast is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Every other betting machine has been removed to promote social distancing
Seats are open to the public but limited. They are available first come/first serve, no reserved seating.
Lottery Tickets
We are currently cashing winning Ohio Lottery tickets from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., daily.
What are your hours of operations?
The property will close daily 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. in compliance with Governor Dewine's statewide curfew order. Please note that guests will not be allowed to enter the property after 9:30 p.m. daily. Please check back often for updates to our hours of operation.
Do I need to wear a mask to enter?
Starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 3 guests will be required to wear masks upon entering in accordance with the City of Dayton Mask Ordinance.
Will there still be promotions and offers?
Eligible guests may receive free play offers in the coming weeks. As we transition to contactless communication, make sure we have a valid email address for your mychoice account. All promotions scheduled for March and April were cancelled unless otherwise stated as postponed.
What is contactless communication?
Contactless communication is the safest way for us to inform you of upcoming offers, promotions, and special events. We will be providing a majority of these update via email. To link your email address to your mychoice account, visit www.mychoice.com and update your account OR you can visit the mychoice center upon your next visit to ensure we have your email address.
Will my Free Play from March or April be available?
All March and April offers have expired, to ensure you receive the latest information, make sure we have your email address. Any previously earned mycash is available and will not be expiring at this time.
Will my my card, mycash, or tier level be expired when I come back?
No. Your mychoice card and mycash will both be valid. Your tier level will be the same as before we were ordered to close on March 16, 2020. Though your mychoice card may show an expiration date of 3/31/2020 you DO NOT need to get a new card printed, it will still work just as it did prior to the COVID-19 closure.
What dining outlets and bars are open?
Take 2 and H-Lounge are open.
Skybox is open for carryout only.
Can I play the VLTs?
Yes. Select VLTs will be out of service to maintain social distancing. Guests may not sit at machines that are turned off or move chairs. VLT attendants will still be available to pay jackpots and service your machine.
What about concerts and live entertainment?
Live entertainment is back! Check out some local DJs at the H Lounge on Fridays and Saturdays. Updates on entertainment can be found on our website under the entertainment tab.
How can I stay safe inside the racino?
Social distancing protocols will be enforced inside all areas of the facility. Signage will be displayed to show you where to stand and what is opened and closed. Any area that may have high traffic or touch points will be sanitized regularly and the whole facility will be deep cleaned over-night.
Will you be serving alcohol on the racino floor?
Yes.
Can I cash in my lottery tickets at the racino?
We are currently cashing winning Ohio Lottery tickets from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., daily.
Will you have fireworks this year?
No.
I received a cruise certificate at a party earlier in the year, can I still redeem it?
While the cruise industry is struggling we are confident they would be happy to hear from you for a booking. Please contact the Norwegian Cruise Line directly at 1-877-571-6980.
Will Hollywood Gaming be having the tier renewal parties?
We currently do not have tier renewal parties on the calendar but hope to be able to celebrate your tier level when we can safely do so.
I previously had a host, do I still have one?
We will be calling hosts back based on business needs. You can ask for any host on duty and they would be happy to help you.
Am I still able to get comps from my host?
Yes. Comps are based on play and will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Introduction to Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Ohio slot machine casino gambling consists of eleven casinos. Magic merlin spellbound slot machine. Four are stand-alone casinos with table games while seven casinos are pari-mutuel racinos with horse tracks and simulcast betting.
Ohio casinos have a minimum theoretical payout limit. Return statistics are publicly available.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. When will online poker start in pa. state, territory, or federal district.
Keep Reading … or Watch Instead!
Or … Listen Instead!
Subscribe to my Professor Slots podcast at Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Amazon Audible | Gaana | Stitcher | Pandora | iHeart Radio | Tune-In | SoundCloud | RadioPublic | Deezer | RSS and everywhere else you find your podcasts!
Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Ohio*
The minimum legal gambling age in Ohio depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
In 1933, an approved constitutional amendment legalized pari-mutual wagering at racetracks. The 1970s saw the arrival of the lottery and charity bingo. Social poker games have always existed, but the house must not profit from the game.
The original operators of Ohio's four stand-alone casinos backed a proposed constitutional amendment. In November 2009, 52% of voters approved the constitutional amendment allowing one casino in the cities of:
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Toledo
In addition to the usual fees and taxes imposed on Ohio businesses, the constitutional amendment required or specified:
- A 33% tax on gross casino revenue
- Distribution of the proceeds of the tax
- A license fee of $50 million per casino dedicated to workforce development
- An initial capital investment of $250 million for the development of each casino facility
- The existence of the Ohio Casino Control Commission
- The Ohio General Assembly would pass other laws to facilitate the operation of the casino gaming amendment
- A maximum of 5,000 slot machines at each casino facility
- There is no limit on the number of table games allowed
Subsequent changes in state lottery legislation allowed pari-mutual racetracks to begin offer video lottery terminal (VLT) style slot machines in 2012. Problem gambling a new zealand perspective on treatment. These were the first racinos in Ohio.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Ohio
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Ohio without restriction as to its date of manufacture.
Gaming Control Board in Ohio
In 2009, a constitutional amendment created the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Its website is comprehensive but only applies to slot machine casino gambling at Ohio's four stand-alone casinos.
In 1973, a constitutional amendment established the Ohio Lottery Commission. The Ohio Lottery eventually became responsible for and controls video slot machines found at Ohio's seven racinos. These pari-mutuel racetracks began adding VLT-style slot machines starting in 2012.
The state gaming commission offers significant resources for slots enthusiasts besides return statistics. For instance, enforcement provides quarterly and fiscal year gaming crimes and statistics including offenses by statute.
Casinos in Ohio
There are four commercial casino resorts and seven commercial pari-mutuel racetracks with simulcast betting as well as slot machines in Ohio.
The largest casino in Ohio is Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs with 2,386 gaming machines in February 2020.
The second-largest casino is MGM Northfield Park with 2,183 gaming machines in February 2020.
Commercial Casinos in Ohio
The four casino resorts in Ohio are:
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati found in downtown Cincinnati located 106 miles southwest of Columbus along the Ohio River near the borders of Kentucky and Indiana.
- Hollywood Casino Columbus in Ohio's capital of Columbus.
- Hollywood Casino Toledo found 140 miles north of Columbus near the border to Michigan.
- JACK Cleveland Casino found 144 miles northeast of Columbus near Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland.
The seven pari-mutual racetracks with VLT-style slot machines in Ohio are:
- Belterra Park found 10 miles southeast of downtown Cincinnati on the Ohio River.
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs found 11 miles south of downtown Columbus.
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway found 59 miles north of Cincinnati.
- Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown found 68 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall found 16 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- MGM Northfield Park found 18 miles southeast of Cleveland.
- Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon found 30 miles north of Cincinnati.
Gambling Casino In Dayton Ohio Menu
Tribal Casinos in Ohio
Ohio has no tribal casinos as no federally-recognized American Indian tribes exist in this state.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Ohio slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Ohio is:
- North: Michigan Slots and Lake Erie
- East: Pennsylvania Slots
- Southeast: West Virginia Slots
- South: Kentucky Slots
- West: Indiana Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Ohio.
Our Ohio Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Ohio? If so, join our new Ohio slots community on Facebook. All you'll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you'll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Ohio. Join us!
Payout Returns in Ohio
Ohio's Gaming Control Act section 3772.20 states that the minimum theoretical payout is 85% for slot machines at Ohio's casino resorts. This same payout limit applies to slot machines at Ohio's racetracks with slot machines thanks to the Ohio Lottery's Video Lottery Game Rules.
Ohio's five stand-alone casino resorts have return statistics publicly available from the Ohio Gaming Commission. However, Ohio's seven racetracks with slot machines have their return statistics available from the Ohio Lottery. Both sources offer return statistics by:
- Month
- Casino
- State-wide
Gambling In Dayton Ohio
In February 2020, Monthly Casino Revenue Reports from the Ohio Gaming Commission shows return statistics for the four casino resorts were:
- State-Wide: 91.82%
- Hard Rock Cincinnati: 92.03%
- Hollywood Columbus: 92.06%
- Hollywood Toledo: 90.97%
- JACK Cleveland: 92.29%
The highest return for casino resorts went to JACK Cleveland at 92.3% while the lowest went to Hollywood Toledo at 91.0%.
In February 2020, VLT Fiscal Revenue Reports from the Ohio Lottery shows return statistics for the seven racinos were:
- State-Wide: 90.79%
- Belterra Park: 90.90%
- Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs: 90.48%
- Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway: 90.71%
- Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course: 90.20%
- JACK Thistledown Racino: 90.64%
- MGM Northfield Park: 90.97%
- Miami Valley Gaming: 91.31%
The highest return for racinos went to Miami Valley Gaming at 91.3% while the lowest went to Hollywood Mahoning Valley at 90.2%. Overall, JACK Cleveland had the best return of any casino or racino in Ohio while Hollywood Mahoning Valley had the lowest.
Summary of Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Ohio slot machine casino gambling consists of eleven casinos operating under two gaming commissions. These casinos include four stand-alone casino resorts regulated by the Ohio Gaming Commission and seven racinos with pari-mutuel wagering and video-lottery-terminal (VLT) style slot machines regulated and controlled by the Ohio Lottery.
The minimum theoretical payout limit at all Ohio casinos is 85%. Each gaming control board offers monthly return statistics which are publicly available.
Annual Progress in Ohio Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, JACK Cincinnati has officially switched ownership to Hard Rock Cincinnati. Further, in Cincinnati over the last year, Boyd Gaming operates Belterra Park after this racino's purchase in late 2018.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: Northern Mariana Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Oklahoma Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC